The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : HC to monitor scheme for acid attack victims

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

HC to monitor scheme for acid attack victims

Staff Reporter

Panel to monitor implementation of the scheme
‘Manufacturers can’t be penalised if products are misused’

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday made it clear that it would monitor the relief and rehabilitation scheme for acid attack victims and that it would not allow the scheme to be misused by any person or authority.

A Division Bench comprising Justice S.R. Bannurmath and Justice Subash B. Adi made this oral remark when it was dealing with a petition by an association working for the welfare of acid attack victims.

During the last hearing, the State had placed before the court the scheme it had formulated for providing relief to acid attack victims. The Bench perused the scheme on Friday and also invited suggestions from the association. It said it would consider the suggestions and ask the Government to incorporate them.

Sheila Ramanathan, who represented the association, suggested that manufacturers of acid and corrosive substances could be asked to pay some compensation. She said if the acid or corrosive substances they manufactured are misused, some amount could be levied on manufacturers.

The Bench pointed out to her that it was ensuring that taxpayers’ money is being used to assist acid victims. It said manufacturers could not be penalised if their products are misused. If a person uses a kitchen knife for anti-social activities, can the knife manufacturer be asked to pay, it asked.

It also made it clear that it would monitor the scheme and that it would not hand it over to any organisation. It said it would appoint a committee and also members so that the scheme could be monitored more effectively.

On providing employment to acid attack victims, the Bench told the Government that considerations of caste, class or communities could not come in the way of providing acid attack victims jobs. The Bench adjourned further hearing on the case to February 22.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka