The Hindu : Bill prohibiting smoking passed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Bill prohibiting smoking passed

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Aug. 9. The Assembly, sitting late on Thursday night, passed four Bills, including the one adopted by the Upper House to prohibit smoking in places of public work or use and in public service vehicles and providing for protection of health of non-smokers.

Replying to the Bill moved by him, the Minister for Health, Kagodu Thimmappa, allayed apprehensions among those in the beedi industry and said that their livelihood would not be affected, as smoking would be banned only in public places.

Mr. Thimmappa promised to include in the rules to be framed, the suggestions made by members during the discussion on the Bill.

Among the suggestions made by members were for providing alternative employment as nearly 10 lakh families were involved in the beedi industry, inclusion of legislators' home in the purview of the Bill. It was asked whether ban on smoking could be brought about through legislation. The other Bill passed by the House was the Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Bill with an intention to promote industrial development and facilitate new investments and to simplify regulatory framework by reducing procedural requirements and rationalising documents.

Replying to the discussions, the Minister for Large and Medium Industries, R.V.Deshpande, dismissed the contention of the Janata Dal(U) floor leader, P.G.R.Sindhia, who doubted if the President would give his assent to the Bill as industry was under concurrent list. Mr. Deshpande said the provisions of the Bill did not infringe on any Central law and there was no question of Central clearance. The Bill was aimed at bringing about greater transparency and simplifying the procedures.

The Minister said Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh had sought copies of the Bill, which was revolutionary, and a first of its kind in the country. The Leader of the Opposition, Jagadish Shettar, questioned the intention of the Bill and said the high-level committee proposed in the Bill was a political committee.

The House also passed the Factories (Karnataka amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (amendment) Bill moved by the Labour Minister, Qamar-ul-Islam. The former provides for appointment of a welfare officer, a medical officer and a woman supervisor in a factory which employees more than 200 workers against the earlier 500 workers.

The other Bill seeks to empower the Government to exempt any information technology establishment or information technology enabled services from the provisions of the section relating to employment of women during night subject to conditions that the establishment provided transport facilities and security to such women employees.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Bill prohibiting smoking passed

Softbrands establishes centre in Bangalore

Govt. move to privatise water supply opposed

Minister clarifies on medium of instruction

Sugar-free tea, coffee launched