At present, the health department officials are talking with the law and judiciary department officials to fine-tune the legalities. The anti-spitting bill is expected to be tabled in the assembly session in March.
After seeing a sharp rise in infectious diseases across the state, mainly tuberculosis, the state health department has decided to bring in an anti-spitting law to discourage people from spitting in public places. Along with imposing a heavy fine, the government also plans to make the offenders to social service, such as cleaning public places.
At present, the health department officials are talking with the law and judiciary department officials to fine-tune the legalities. The anti-spitting bill is expected to be tabled in the assembly session in March.
Meanwhile on the occasion of the World Cancer day on Thursday, health minister Dr Deepak Sawant visited the Tata Memorial hospital. While addressing the media, Dr Sawant said, "This is the need of the hour that people stop spitting in public places. We will come up with an anti-spitting bill soon. Once it is finalised, we will present it in the upcoming assembly session."
Spitting in public places is a serious health hazard, especially in a populated city such as Mumbai. Although most paan shops have their own spittoons and dustbins, the civic body lacks initiatives. Though the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan did spread awareness regarding cleanliness among students, school and college principals now feel the anti-spitting bill will bring in a lot more change.
Errick Elliava, principal of Lady Engineer High school in Tardeo, said, "I am very much in support of the government. I feel they should come up with a very heavy fine for offenders. Children should be given lessons against spitting from a young age."
"People should stop spitting on roads, railway stations, bus stops and on the walls of the buildings. Even countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand, which are economically weaker than India, are much ahead of us in the field of public cleanliness. This one single habit can turn the tables," said Dr Samir Garde, chest physician at the Global Hospital.
New hospital for cancer patients
To reduce workload on the Tata Memorial hospital, which is the only dedicated hospital for cancer treatment, the government is planning to set up another hospital in Nagpur. Also, the plan to strengthen the Cama hospital for women and children is on the anvil.
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