Wednesday, April 12, 2006




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Indian chemical Inc to fight WMD
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
Posted online: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 1504 hours IST
Updated: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 1714 hours IST

MUMBAI, APRIL 12:  In view of threats posed by Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), country's chemical industry is making efforts to adhere to Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) act to prevent proliferation of chemicals that could be used to make such weapons.

"The government of India has formed the National Authority for Chemical Weapons convention (NACWC). It is taking measures to educate the industry to help us act according to the law," Indian Chemical Manufacturers' Association (ICMA) Director General, D P Misra said.

India is one of the 176 countries which became signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in the year 2000 and the CWC act, passed by Parliament in August 2000, came into force on July 1, 2005.

"The government is trying to create awareness amongst the industry members.

We have been holding seminars and workshops for this purpose," joint industrial advisor, ministry of chemicals and fertilisers, P N Maji said.

Based on CWC guidelines, a signatory country has to comply with the set regulations. This requires periodic declaration pertaining to toxic chemicals as listed in the CWC Act 2000.

Each industry producing such chemical, which fall under the act has to file returns with the government, which will submit it on behalf of the companies to the Organisation of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Hague, Germany.

Gvernment could arrest or penalise companies that manufacture toxic chemicals, identified under the CWC act which fail to submit the required information.

Chemicals containing elements of phosphorus, sulphur or fluorine come under the CWC act.

According to the act, no person shall produce, acquire, retain or use toxic chemicals identified and shall not transfer such chemicals outside the territory.

"Under section 40 of the act, punishment for contravention in relation to development and production of chemical weapons include imprisonment up to one year, which may extend to life, and also fine up to Rs. 1 lakh," misra said.

The ICMA dg said that there are around 5000 small and large units manufacturing these chemicals.

"If we strictly calculate, the chemical industry falling under the CWC act is at least worth Rs. 1,50,000 crore or US dollar 32 billion," he said.

Ater the enforcement of the act last year, around 300 companies have already submitted their returns with the NACWC.

"This year we expect the number of companies submitting the returns to increase up to 2000. We are all aware that misuse of these chemicals can lead to producing weapons of mass destruction. We have allowed inspections and are trying to adhere to the CWC act," he said.

So far 20 inspections have been already undertaken. There have been no cases of violation yet.