DC Shrikant chairs meeting of DLCC to review implementation of COTPA in Kargil

DC Shrikant chairs meeting of DLCC to review implementation of COTPA in Kargil

Kargil, March 26: Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Shrikant Suse, who is also Chairman of District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) of the National Tobacco Control Program, today chaired a meeting to review the implementation and enforcement of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act (COPTA) in the district.

During the meeting, Chief Medical Officer Kargil, Dr Kacho Liyaqat Ali Khan, District Immunization Officer, Dr Rabiya Banoo, Chief Education Officer, Sonam Dorjey Namgial, Sales Tax Inspector, Municipal Committee Inspector, Drug Inspector, Food Inspector, SHO Kargil, District Consultant NTCP, Masood Ahmad besides other concerned officials were present during the meeting.

At the outset, a threadbare discussion was held to chalk out a plan to ensure visible impact of implementation of COPTA on the ground through effective surveillance, feedback mechanism and taking timely measures to curb the menace of tobacco products.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers of Police, Health and other concerned departments to chalk out a collective and effective plan for the implementation of COPTA and against tobacco menace in the district.

DC Kargil directed CMO Kargil to submit a report of Tobacco Free Educational Institutions within 15 days and instructed to make an action plan of all schools to make them tobacco-free.

He also directed to hold special programs at various workplaces where labourers work in large numbers and aware them and to submit guidelines of making smoking zones.

The Deputy Commissioner also directed to strictly monitor the shopkeepers that sell tobacco products within the 100-meter vicinity of the school area. He further directed to impose fine on shopkeepers found selling tobacco products to minors.

The DC appealed people of Kargil particularly shopkeepers to desist from sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products and save the younger generation from ill effects of tobacco products.

DC Shrikant also directed to hold creative awareness program like paintings, essay writing, skits etc. to educate students about the negative effects of tobacco and drugs in daily lives.

The DC Kargil also directed to spot the areas and put them under constant surveillance and monitoring mode so that the defaulters are identified.