Implementation of NTCP, PC & PNDT Act reviewed in Kathua District

DC calls for launching Tobacco Free Village, school Campaign

KATHUA, October 28: A meeting of District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) on National Tobacco Control Programme was held today under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Rakesh Minhas, here in the DC Office complex.

The meeting held detailed deliberations to get a better understanding regarding the enforcement of the provisions of The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 or COTPA, 2003 and to implement National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).

At the outset, Chief Medical Officer Dr Rakesh Magotra informed the meeting about the agenda, roles and responsibilities of the members of DLCC under NTCP.

During the meeting “The Tobacco Free Village Campaign” was discussed in detail. Under this campaign village wise scrutiny shall be done with the help of the RDD department and certain parameters and set indicators shall be measured.  All such Villages if fulfilling the set criteria are declared Tobacco free.

The meeting decided that for measuring the performance on various parameters, a Village Level Coordination Committee will be formed. This campaign also will give mandate to members of the committee to challenge the individuals violating the norms in the village which is under tobacco free campaign.

Similarly, launching of the Tobacco free Education institution campaign was also discussed at length.

The DC asked the CMO and Municipality Officers to print a sufficient number of challan books and issue them to officers mandated to penalise the violators. He also emphasised on the need to ensure enforcement in letter and spirit by dealing with violators strictly.

The DC directed the Rural Development Department to go ahead for constituting Village wise committee, further directed BDO HQ to ensure the compliance without any delay.

On Tobacco free Education campaign, the DC directed the CEO Kathua to work to direct all HoIs to exercise strict vigil to ensure that no tobacco products are sold within 100 yards of any educational institution.

Later the DC chaired a meeting of concerned officers to discuss the implementation of PC & PNDT Act. The meeting was attended by CMO, BMO Billawar, BMO Bani, BMO Hiranagar, BMO Parole and other staff members.

The CMO, while giving details, apprised the DC about the registered Ultrasound Clinics in the district and their status of functioning.

The DC called upon the BMOs to arrange the technical staff for handling  Ultrasound machines which are otherwise lying idle.

While taking the review of the implementation of Ayushman Bharat scheme, the DC was apprised that the district has achieved 92.38% coverage.

Regarding Grievance Redressal (DGRC), the meeting was informed that 111 grievances were received and all were resolved within the stipulated time frame.