Govt mulls complete ban on ‘whitener’

The Delhi government may soon ban the sale and use of 'whitener' fluid in the Capital. With youngsters increasingly using the 'whitener' as an intoxicant, the government has sought complete ban on it.

The Delhi government may soon ban the sale and use of 'whitener' fluid in the Capital. With youngsters increasingly using the 'whitener' as an intoxicant, the government has sought complete ban on it.

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The correction fluid, popularly known as whitener, was earlier used to correct typing mistakes.

While the type-writers gave way to computers where making corrections is easier and does not require any correction fluid, the whitener found new patrons in youngsters who would pour it on their handkerchiefs and inhale it for a getting a high. It's easy availability and low cost made it extremely popular with them.

"The minister has had several meetings in the past with experts and they are of the view that correction fluid should be banned.

We have now asked the department of women and child welfare to prepare a detailed proposal for its ban and incorporate the views of the experts. The proposal would then be sent to the central government," said an aide of education and social welfare minister Kiran Walia.