On World No Tobacco Day, Shimla Municipal Corporation health officer Omesh Kumar Bharti imposed fine of Rs.1,00, 000 each on three traders for storing banned tobacco-based products.
This is highest ever penalty in Himachal Pradesh. The team consisted of SHO Govind Ram & Head Constable Anil Kumar, in presence of Designated Officer Omesh Kumar Bharti and Ashok Mangla seized 300 kg gutka was seized at old ISBT, while smaller consignments at various locations in Shimla.
Omesh Kumar Bharti said that “This enforcement of law is much better way to observe No Tobacco Day, rather than just sermons and empty slogans”.
The Himachal government has imposed a complete ban on the sale, storage, manufacture and distribution of tobacco-based products including gutka on 12 July 2012 under section 2.3.4 of Food Safety Act of 2006.
