Cabinet clears smoking plan

The Delhi cabinet approved the health department’s proposal to empower owners of private establishments to levy fine on those found flouting the ban on smoking in public spaces.

The Delhi cabinet on Wednesday approved the health department’s proposal to empower owners of private establishments to levy fine on those found flouting the ban on smoking in public spaces.

HT Image

Now, shopkeepers, restaurateurs and hoteliers will have the power to levy a fine of Rs 200 on anybody caught smoking at a prohibited space. “If a shopkeeper is responsible for anyone caught smoking on his premises, he should also have the authority to fine the person,” said Delhi health minister Kiran Walia.

Walia said the owners of these private establishments would have to issue a receipt for the fine collected and submit the fine collected with Delhi government.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to sign an MoU with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States for curbing smoking. The government will instal air nicotine monitoring devices in several strategic locations and public places in the city in collaboration with the institute.

A proposal for re-allocation of un-utilised funds under the MLA Local Area Development Scheme for the period from 1994-95 to 2008-09 was also cleared. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said MLALADS funds amounting to Rs 59.80 crore are lying un-spent with the government and MCD.