New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sought a report from police related to Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance, 2019.
Delhi Police has asked its districts and investigating units to prepare the report in a requisite proforma. Sources said that earlier the Ministry of Home Affairs had written to Chief Secretaries of all state governments and UTs for the implementation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Ordinance, 2019. "It is also requested to kindly ensure that it (info related to Ordinance) is circulated amongst all concerned officers, authorities in the State/UT," Ministry directed the Chief Secretaries.
"Sub-inspector is the authorised officer to conduct search and seizure. Other officers can also be notified as an authorised officer by Central/ State governments. An opportunity is provided to the owners of existing stocks of e-cigarettes on the date of commencement of the Ordinance (i.e., September 18, 2019) to suo-moto declare and deposit these stocks at the nearest police station without any unnecessary delay," reads Ministry letter.
Later in November, 2019, Delhi Police wrote to all districts and units DCsP regarding report sought by Ministry. "The Ministry has also sought an action report on the number of cases registered, stock seized, numbers of traders who have deposited list in nearest police stations and verification of the same by the authorised officer to the Ministry," reads the letter written by a DCP rank officer to districts and investigating units.
In the letter, the city police had also sought a report on the proforma for the period from September 18 to November 25.