Chandigarh, March 20: The Punjab government has decided to impose a permanent ban on hookah bars in the State, instead of issuing temporary orders against them every two months. The move is aimed at reducing the use of tobacco in various forms.
The State Cabinet, in a meeting held here on Monday, approved an amendment to the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003), for the prevention and control of diseases caused by the use of tobacco products.
“The amendment would result in a complete ban on the running of hookah bars in the State. The proposed amendment will be placed before the Legislative Assembly and, after being passed by the House, will be reserved for the assent of the President of India,” read an official statement.
At present, Section 144 of CrPC is promulgated against all hookah bars in all the districts of the States for two months, with extension required at the end of the period.
The Cabinet has also decided to introduce a Bill for regularisation of unauthorised colonies, plots and buildings in the Budget Session that is slated to start from Tuesday (March 20).
The Cabinet cleared the decks for its members to pay their own income tax beginning March 2018. The draft amendment bills for relevant changes to ‘The East Punjab Ministers’ Salaries Act, 1947, and ‘The Salaries and Allowances of Deputy Ministers, Punjab Act, 1956,’ will be presented in the Budget session, the statement added.
It was also decided that MBBS doctors will now get their full salaries, including all allowances, during probation period. “The Cabinet has decided to do away with the condition of ‘basic pay only’ for newly appointed medical officers in the Health and Family Welfare Department,” read the statement.
Source The Hindu
