the goan I network
VASCO
The Mormugao Taluka Enforcement Squad conducted inspections on Tuesday at Mormugao Harbour and Baina to check violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
The Enforcement Squad booked cases for violation of Section 4 and 6 (a) and recovered fines of Rs. 1400 from bars and restaurants and grocery shops at Baina and Mormugao Harbour.
The squad which was led by Joint Mamlatdar II Ravishekar Nipanikar and GOACAN Co-ordinator Roland Martins were accompanied by the staff of the mamlatdar’s office and police personnel.
The squad found that the COTPA violations were taking place near the premises of high schools and the same will be reported to the South Goa District
“Collector.
Grocery shops, bars and restaurants which were openly displaying and selling tobacco products and had not displayed the mandatory signage “Sale of Tobacco products to a person below the age of 18 years is a punishable offence” were
penalised.
To ensure the compliance of Section 6 (b) of COTPA, the Taluka Enforcement Squad will recommend a joint meeting with the Chief Officer Mormugao Municipal Council and Education Department ADEI Mormugao
Taluka.
As per Section 6 (b) of COTPA, the sale of tobacco products is prohibited within the radius of 100 yards of any educational institution and therefore the institution has to display the required signage on its compound walls.
