Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Parents’ Federation (OPF) has threatened to launch an agitation if the state government fails to implement the directives of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to curb the sale of gutkha, tobacco and other intoxicants near educational institutions.
In a statement, the Federation recalled that it had filed a petition before the OHRC in 2019 seeking strict action against the sale of tobacco, pan masala, nicotine-based products and other addictive substances near schools, colleges and universities.
Acting on the plea, the Commission had directed the state government to constitute district- and state-level monitoring committees under the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) framework to enforce the ban.
According to the OHRC order, district NTCC cells were to be headed by the District Public Health Officer (DPHO) as nodal officer, with members from the police and health departments.
It had further directed bi-monthly review meetings at the district level, a state-level oversight committee under a senior nodal officer, allocation of funds by the Health department, and awareness drives through print and electronic media.
However, despite three months passing since the order, no such committees have been formed, alleged the Federation.
“Open sale of gutkha, ganja and cigarettes near schools and colleges is destroying our younger generation.
If the government does not act immediately, we will be compelled to launch a mass protest,” warned Federation president Basudev Bhatta, working president Prasanna Bishoyi and general secretary Ashok Paikaray.
PNN
