MARGAO
The South Goa district administration headed by district Collector Ruchika Katyal has decided to use the carrot and stick policy to ensure that Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, (COTPA) is enforced across the district in both letter and spirit.
With the authorities found wanting in the enforcement of the COTPA, the district Collector has further underscored the need for time to time crack-down on violators.
Saying that the district administration will adopt the carrot and stick approach, the district Collector said stress would be laid on awareness as well as enforcement to ensure maximum efforts in the enforcement of the Act.
The meeting discussed various issues relating to the implementation of the COTPA with suggestions to implement the measures, including enforcement in the villages with assistance from the village Panchayats.
Senior health Officer Dr Ira Almeida informed that it was resolved to implement the provisions of the COTPA via awareness and enforcement.
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins told the media after the meeting that the stakeholders insisted on enforcement of the COTPA Act in South Goa by creating awareness amongst the Panchayats and schools.
He said the district Collector was requested to get details of the recent raid conducted by the Goa Police crime branch wherein Rs 15 lakh worth of gutka was seized from Margao and Ponda.
The meeting took cognizance of the fact that no boards have been displayed at the Margao railway station on COTPA, adding that more areas will be covered under the awareness campaign.
He said a workshop will be conducted for the teachers as well as school to implement the new guidelines on COTPA, adding that despite the pandemic, it has been decided to put the no smoking and no tobacco use campaign with the help of the schools and panchayat bodies.
