Fine issues hold up anti-spitting law

The state health minister has said the government’s draft bill on a proposed anti-spitting law is ready but details on a few key connected issues, mainly how to utilise the money generated from the fines imposed on offenders and who will nab such offenders, are yet to be worked out before it sees the light of the day.

The draft bill is yet to be tabled in the state Assembly for its approval. The bill is aimed at curbing air-borne infectious diseases. When contacted, the state health minister Dr Deepak Sawant said, “The file has been stuck in the state finance department which is yet to decide on the funds that would be generated from imposing fines on the offenders. “Also, the government is yet to finalise the team that will tackle the issue of revenue generated by spitting and monitoring people who are committing the offence.”

Mr Sawant further said that if the bill was passed, Maharashtra would be the first state to come up with an anti-spitting law. To ensure good health and curb the menace of spitting and littering in the state, the plan has been proposed,” he added.

However, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, had a different tale to tell. When asked if it was stuck in the finance department, he said, “No file is pending with us. I need to check if something is there.”

The law would impose a ban on spitting in public places. Doctors have been demanding it on the grounds that it would bring down the transmission of all airborne diseases.