Panaji, Oct 16 (IANS): The Goa government will try to regulate and control the sale of Ratol, a popular and commercially available rat-killing paste, which has found favour with those trying to commit suicide, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said Wednesday.
"I can't ban it, but we can control it," Parrikar said after a Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) legislator expressed concern over the repeated consumption of Ratol by Goans to commit suicide.
"I will try and ensure that it will not be sold across the counter. Maybe only at designated pharmacies," Parrikar added.
Earlier, BJP legislator Pramod Sawant in his motion raised during Zero Hour expressed apprehension about Ratol as it was emerging as a top choice for those wanting to commit suicide.
A sitting legislator, Francisco Pacheco, also faces charges of abetment to suicide after his alleged girlfriend committed suicide by consuming Ratol some years back.