Chhattisgarh News : As per Section 4/6 of COTPA Act, 2003, sale of tobacco products to persons below 18 years of age is a punishable offence.
On the directions of Koriya District Collector Mrs. Chandan Tripathi and on the guidance of Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Prashant Singh, action was taken against shops, pan pushkas, hotels and gumtis and a fine of Rs.
The operation was carried out by a joint team of the Health Department and the Food and Drug Administration. The team conducted a thorough check of paan stalls, hotels, grocery shops in Jamghana, Mahora, Dakayipara, Karji, Girjapur, Tengni, Pandopara villages of Baikunthpur development block. On confirmation of violation of Section 4/6, fine was imposed and the concerned shopkeepers were directed to put up boards like ‘No Smoking Zone’ and ‘Selling tobacco products to persons below 18 years of age is a punishable offence’. Instructions were given to the school management to install a smoke-free educational institution board despite the non-availability of a no-smoking board in the primary school, Imlipara.
Similarly, the quality of food items used in mid-day meals was checked on the spot through a mobile food testing lab vehicle. Food samples were also collected during the study. Similarly, cleanliness, quality, expiry date of food items in hotels and shops were checked. The shopkeepers were instructed to maintain cleanliness and protect themselves from moisture.