Team Herald
PANJIM: With ‘World No Tobacco Day’ to be observed on May 31, the North Goa district administration conducted an extensive enforcement drive in the Capital city on Monday and booked 50 cases of violations under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA).
North Goa Collector Nila Mohanan issued an order Monday morning to mamlatdars across the district to undertake an extensive drive in public places and book the violators imposing necessary fines. An inspection team headed by Joint Mamlatdar Sandeep Gawade booked cases involving private banks, restaurants, beauty salons, ice cream shops and a film theatre, for not displaying ‘No Smoking’ signs.
“We have issued 50 challans and have collected Rs 10,000 through fines,” Gawade said. All government offices have displayed the boards banning smoking, he added.
The cases have been booked under Section 4 of COTPA that prohibits smoking in public places. A fine of Rs 200 per case has been imposed.
“Due to the time constraint we could not cover entire Tiswadi taluka today. The drive was held in Panjim and surrounding areas,” Gawade said.
