DLCC reviews implementation of NTCP
in Kathua District
KATHUA, MAY 2: District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC)
led by Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Rakesh Minhas today reviewed the implementation
of National Tobacco Control Program in District Kathua.
The meeting
assessed the measures taken for effective enforcement of the Cigarettes and
Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) and the implementation of the National
Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the
district.
The meeting
commenced with an insightful presentation by Divisional Coordinator Shiveta
Raina, shedding light on the objectives and progress of the NTCP in Kathua.
Chief Medical
Officer Dr. Vijay Raina provided an overview of the role and responsibilities
of DLCC members under NTCP.
A key focus of the
meeting was the discussion on "The Tobacco Free Village Campaign,"
aiming to scrutinize villages with RDD department assistance and declare those
meeting specific criteria as tobacco-free. To ensure accountability, Village
Level Coordination Committees will be established, empowered to penalize
violators within the designated tobacco-free villages.
The Deputy
Commissioner directed BDO HQ Kathua for proper identification of villages to be
declared tobacco-free across all revenue blocks, underscoring strict
enforcement through the issuance of challan books to designated officers and
rigorous penalties for violators.
To implement
anti-tobacco measures in the school education department, emphasis was placed
on aligning high schools and higher secondary institutions with NTCP objectives
by May 15, utilizing the Tobacco Free Educational Institution (TFEI) app to
track compliance and document anti-tobacco activities.
Stakeholders,
including the police department, were tasked with providing weekly reports on
enforcement activities to analyze the effectiveness of interventions.
Additionally, ADCs and SDMs were instructed to maintain vigilance, particularly
in identified hotspots, and impose penalties on offenders.
The meeting
concluded with a shared commitment to adopting proactive measures to sensitize
all segments of society, ensuring a tobacco-free environment for the well-being
of the community.