In blasts wake,Govt to check misuse of ammonium nitrate

Traces of chemical found in Mumbai blasts; to be placed under Explosive Substances Act.

After security agencies have found the substance used by several terror groups to carry out blasts in India,the government has decide to control availability of ammonium nitrate. The substance may soon be brought under the Explosive Substances Act,to regulate its use.

Even as police forces and security agencies have been calling for measures to check misuse of the chemical,Home ministry officials said that a bill to bring ammonium nitrate under the purview of the act is likely to tabled in the parliament during the monsoon session.

Security agencies have discovered traces of ammonium nitrate in the Mumbai 13/7 blasts which rocked Zaveri Bazaar,Opera House and Dadar.

At present,ammonium nitrate does not come under the purview of Explosive Substances Act as it is widely used in fertilisers and any ban on it may result in adverse effect on farming.

The home ministry is also coordinating with state governments to frame elaborate rules under the Act to strengthen the framework for regulating manufacture,storage,transport and sale of explosives.

The “in-principle” approval for the amendment of the Act has already been given by the Union cabinet at its special meeting in the aftermath of the Delhi blasts in 2008.

Some suggestions have already been given to states to check use and trading of ammonium nitrate to ensure that it does not land into wrong hands,they said.

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