Haryana bans sale of paint thinner in bottles

A ban has been imposed on the sale of correction fluid and thinner in bottles in Haryana. The government also imposed rules to take a strict action against those found violating the orders. According to State Health Minister, Deputy Commissioner, Executive Magistrate, Medical Officer, Senior Drugs Control Officer, Drugs Control Officer and police officers of the rank of Assistant Sub

Inspector or above have been tasked to enforce the ban. The officers have been asked to send progress report on every fifth of the month through the Additional Deputy Commissioner concerned to Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration, he said. Though a notification was issued in this regard on the orders of Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2012, it did not empower any officer to enforce the ban. The issue was discussed at a meeting of Health Department on April 21 and a decision was taken to empower the officers to take action against those found defying orders. Correction fluid and thinner are used as nail polish removers by women, which has toxic chemicals. These are also used in offices, but were reportedly being misused by children as intoxicating substance or drug, giving them stimulating effect like drugs on its inhalation.

Also in future, sale of correction fluid and thinner would be permitted in the form of pens or similar devices which allow limited amount of chemicals to come out.