In a blatant violation of the Indian Tobacco Control Act, a cigarette shop next to the Bal Bharati School, Rohini, is doing brisk business. The nearby Rohini court is a mute spectator
In a blatant violation of the Indian Tobacco Control Act, a cigarette shop next to the Bal Bharati School, Rohini, is doing brisk business. The nearby Rohini court is a mute spectator
Consumption of tobacco products by minors may be banned in the country and under the Indian Tobacco Control Act, even the sale of these harmful items within a 100-metre radius of any educational institute is not allowed.
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But outside the renowned Bal Bharati Public School at Rohini, a small cigarette stall is doing brisk business. Among its customers are many students of the reputed school. Worse still, just opposite is the Rohini District Court.
"We have the Tobacco Control Act and a law banning smoking in public places but the government has hardly cared to enforce them effectively.
In a blatant violation of these laws, this cigarette shop shares its wall with the school. Students can be seen buying cigarettes and smoking them at the stall.
It is encouraging them to become tobacco addicts," said Anil Sharma, a resident of Rohini, whose child is studying at the Bal Bharati Public School.
When MiD DAY contacted Rajender Gupta, the secretary of the Bal Bharati Public School and a former minister of the Delhi government, he said he was not aware of the shop.
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"I am not aware of this. If a cigarette stall is flourishing near the school, necessary action will be taken against it. It is a serious matter. I'll talk to the principal of the school regarding this," he said.
When the principal of the school, Rekha Sharma, was contacted about the matter, she first denied that any such shop existed but then consented to take action against it.
"If any such thing is going on, I will approach the concerned authority and will demand proper action. It is the fault of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)," she said.
Even Health Secretary, Delhi Government, J P Singh, agreed that tobacco products are sold in public places. "I know such shops are in business in public places but it will take time to make the laws effective. Public awareness is essential to overcome this problem permanently," he said.
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Local MLA Jai Bhagwan Aggarwal was more scathing in his attack. "It is a serious issue and the non-serious nature of lawmakers is the main cause of such blatant violation. I am going to write a letter to the governor regarding serious implementation of the laws."
Meanwhile, DCP of Rohini, Atul Katiyar, said, "As we do not have the power to fine these shops, we can only assist the Tobacco Control Cell in raiding such establishments."
Studies go up in smoke
This is not the story of the Bal Bharati Public School, Rohini, alone. Even government schools like the Malviya Nagar Senior Secondary School, face a similar situation.
This school has two cigarette shops nearby.
The prestigious Amity University in Noida too has such shops near it.
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