Government of Haryana
Government of Haryana
Yogendra Sharma.Chandigarh.To curb the game in the name of herbal hookah in Haryana, the state government is soon preparing to submit a bill, the drafting of which is progressing rapidly. After receiving the complaint, state Chief Minister Manohar Lal banned the ban across the state. In the coming period, preparations will be made to bring hookahs under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.
Sources say preparations are being made to tighten the noose after the CM was directed to prevent the game from being run under the guise of herbal medicine in restaurants and clubs in Haryana. After banning all types of hookahs, a strict law in this regard is currently being prepared. A bill is currently being drafted to include hookahs in the COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products) Act. The Haryana Health Department has started brainstorming on the draft bill, which recommends enacting a concrete law to take stringent action on hookah bars.
If sources are to be believed, apart from imposing a prison sentence on those who run shisha bars, a fine of lakhs is also envisaged. If everything happens within the allotted time, preparations will be made to introduce the bill in the winter session of the Assembly next month.
The Prime Minister gave instructions to officials to take action
On the instructions of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, the Home Ministry had directed all police commissioners and deputy commissioners to take immediate action, terming flavored hookahs as harmful. The Ministry of Interior has also clarified that there are no restrictions on the traditional hookah and personal hookah, which have been used since ancient times. However, there will be a complete ban on serving flavored hookahs along with tobacco in hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in various districts of the state.
The government keeps a close eye on illegal businesses
Haryana Home Minister TVSN Prasad released a letter and issued guidelines to officials in all districts. According to the orders, tobacco and flavored hookahs will be served in various districts of Haryana. In many places, in addition to tobacco, banned intoxicants are also consumed, and it has been shown that many types of herbs are added to it to enhance the taste. Young people in particular are attracted to it and later it becomes a habit.
Also Read – Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: 1717 PMAY Urban beneficiaries get roof, 250 applications rejected
