Man penalised for smoking in public place

Rajkot, Oct 17 (UNI) For the first time in the district, a man has been penalised for smoking in a public place after the law was enforced banning smoking in public places from October 2 this year.

Hemubhai Khodaji has been fined Rs 200 by the Circle Officer at Lapasari village of the district.

This incident came to light when Rajkot district collector H S Patel went to Lapsari village recently to check the Gram Panchayat record, where he saw a man smoking beedi. He immediately directed Taluka Mamlatdar Chetan Ganatra and Circle Officer Vijay Vasani to penalise him for smoking in a public place.

Under the law, police personnel, inspectors from excise, customs, sales tax, food and health department have been given powers to stop a person from smoking as well as penalise him or her upto Rs 200.

UNI AV SR SKB1711