TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The draft of the Goa Poisons Possession and Sale Rules, 2014 have been notified and put in public domain for objections and suggestions for 15 days. The rules will allow the state to maintain close control on the sale of the poisons.
A rat poison had become famous after some high profile cases where the poison was used to take one’s own life.
According to the draft rules any executive magistrate or a policeman of the rank of sub-inspector and above or a medical officer appointed by the government or an inspector appointed under section 21 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (Central Act 23 of 1940) can visit and inspect the premises of the licensee where a poison is kept for sale and check on all poisons found there as well as in the registers.
No poison can be sold to anybody below 18.
Every person licensed to keep poisons has to maintain a register where he or she will have to enter all poison sale other than those used by a registered chemist, druggist or pharmacist, dispensing or compounding in compliance with the prescription of a qualified medical or veterinary practitioner. All poisons have to be kept securely in a locked box, almirah, room or building (according to the quantity maintained). Marking in bold red (Poison) in English and in the local language have to be pout on the container, the rules say.
When selling the poison it has to be securely packed in a closed container and packet marked with the word ‘Poison in red characters in English and in local language and with the name of the poison and the name and address of the licensee.
No person will be able to sell or possess for sale any poison without a license granted or renewed by the licensing authority.
The rules also stress that the sale of poison can be only done if the buyer is personally known to him or her, or has been identified to his or produced a photo identity card. He will have to ascertain before selling any poison the name, telephone and address of the purchaser and the purpose for which the poison is being purchased.
