Smoking ban hard to enforce: I&B to Ramadoss

During a two-hour meeting, the officials of I&B ministry presented a list of exemptions in the form of a request to tone down the ban as much as possible.

Sources in the government said the issue has become very sensitive one. As it has become a prestige issue for one ministry, the other ministry — despite finding it impossible and impractical to implement the ban — cannot strike it down completely. ‘‘We are now trying to get the ban implemented in the mildest possible form,’’ they said.

The mere mention of the ban appeared to make the I&B minister S Jaipal Reddy uncomfortable. ‘‘We have already sought exemptions on a large number of serials, film, treatment of historical characters and literature and classics,’’ he said. His ministry, he added, will put up ‘‘more issues for consideration’’ before the health ministry.

Even the Central Board of Film Certification is upset over the notification.

‘‘As of now, they have sought more time for its implementation,’’ said an official of the I&B ministry. ‘‘The board has claimed that there are a number of films which have been shot recently and are awaiting release orders. So a ban from October 2 is not possible,’’ the official said.
Action likely on defaulting channels
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPT 21
News channels uplinking from India, which do not comply with the equity norms under the current policy, may be blacked out from the next month.
After 30 September, the channels which do not comply with the 26 per cent cap on foreign direct investment or does not have at least one Indian partner with 51 per cent stake, will not be allowed to uplink, said Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy. He said the deadline for compliance was extended several times. ‘‘This time, we will simply act,’’ he added.