MCD fails to fix officials who will enforce ban

NEW DELHI: Challaning smoking ban offenders from Thursday is going to be a tough task for the MCD. And if they happen to be top officers or politicians, it might nearly be impossible, since officers who will fine have still not been designated by respective departments.
According to a source, a few top officers and mostly class-IV workers constitute the bulk of smokers in Town Hall premises."There are high-level officers who are known to openly smoke in their cabins. The lower-level member may be easy to tackle, but who is going to stub the big guy's cigarette?" quizzed an official.
Prominent 'no smoking' signs have come up all over the corporation's Town Hall office. They are big, red in colour, 100 in number and warn of punishment if an offender is caught smoking. However, no official so far has been designated to fine anyone. In fact, a few councillors were seen smoking inside Town Hall right in front of the 'no-smoking' signs on Tuesday.
Standing committee chairman Vijender Gupta is optimistic the signs will work as a deterrent. "I am confident that top officers who wish to smoke will follow the law. Politicians don't smoke here, but those who are caught will be fined," Gupta said.
According to the act which imposes the restriction, the power to implement provisions and collect fines has been given to a government functionary who is a gazetted officer. This means security personnel or a caretaker department cannot be empowered to implement the act. Another official said tackling smoking will not be a problem at all. "Back in 70s, people smoked more liberally. Even professors would take a puff in college classrooms. The situation today is much better. Smokers who are there will themselves follow the rules," said an official.
On September 30, MCD's additional commissioner for health sent out a circular to all ACs, department heads and deputy commissioners to carry out the provisions and designate persons to fine offenders. The question is whether politicians and top officers will be challaned as steadfastly as the general public.
paulomi.mehta@timesgroup.com