Call it the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or the state government's aggressive stand to counter the spread of communicable diseases, the Maharashtra Assembly will introduce a bill banning spitting in public places in the upcoming state Legislature Budget session scheduled next month. The proposal which was however approved by state cabinet in June 2015. Once implemented it will make Maharashtra the first state in India to have such a law.
This is what state Health Minister Dr. Deepak Sawant said in a series of tweets:
After seeing a sharp rise in infectious diseases across state, mainly #TB, we've decided to bring in #AntiSpittingLaw soon - 7 of n
— Dr. Deepak Sawant (@drdeepaksawant) February 5, 2016
Discussing wid law nd judiciary dept.officials to fine-tune legalities.#AntiSpittingLaw expected to b tabled in assembly session in Mar-9/n
— Dr. Deepak Sawant (@drdeepaksawant) February 5, 2016
#AntiSpittingLaw Along with imposing heavy fine,we've planned to make offenders to social service,such as cleaning public places etc. 8 of n
— Dr. Deepak Sawant (@drdeepaksawant) February 5, 2016
The proposal has been forwarded to the Law and Judiciary department which will look into it.
Here are some of the key points:
- First time offenders will have to pay a fine of Rs 1,000 and also do a day of community service at public places or at government offices
- Second time offenders will be slapped a fine of Rs 3,000 and do three days of community service
- Repeated offenders will be penalised with Rs 5,000 fine and five days of community service
(With inputs from PTI)
(Feature image source: PTI)