SRINAGAR – On the directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, the district Administration Srinagar Thursday conducted a special drive across the district under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Srinagar, Dr. Syed Haneef Balkhi to implement COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act-2003) by restraining business operators of the City from selling Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products around Educational institutions and Hospitals.
The special enforcement team included Chief Medical Officer, Chief Education Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Kashmir, DSP Headquarter, Tehsildar South, Srinagar and Officers from other line departments.
During the drive, cigarette and other tobacco products worth Rs 20k were seized and a fine of Rs 3000 was also imposed on erring shopkeepers besides 10 shops were also sealed by the team.
The team also brought down 30 Signage boards/ hoardings at various places during the drive.
Meanwhile, similar drives were also launched by all Teshildars of Srinagar in their respective jurisdictions.
The ADC said that the main objective of the drive is to ensure there is no sale and use of Cigarettes and other Tobacco products within 100 yards of all Educational Institutions and Health Centers besides to create awareness among masses regarding ill effects of using tobacco products.
The DC has also constituted Tehsil wise Enforcement Squads to monitor the unlawful sale of cigarettes in Srinagar and curb the menace to ensure strict adherence and implementation of COPTA.
Meanwhile, the Government had ordered to strictly enforce the provisions of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 and Rules.
