Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Published : January 13, 2015 10:21 AM IST
Mumbai, Jan 11: Spitting in public places is one of the most unhygienic practices that has contributed to the spread of contagious diseases, especially tuberculosis. Addressing this issue, Maharashtra Health minister Deepak Sawant announced that anti-spitting norms will be made more stringent to serve as credible deterrence to the offenders. 'We are checking whether to bring in a new legislation or amend the existing one in the next session (of state legislature),' Sawant said. (Read: Ten facts you didn t know about tuberculosis)
Despite the existence of a law against spitting in public places, people are seen practising it in public places, indicating that the legislation is not effective and that most people are unaware about the law and the dangers of spitting in public places. Most people who are found spitting on the roads are taxi and auto drivers. Pointing out the increase in the number of TB cases, the minister said, 'A law against spitting in public places is already in existence and in Mumbai, the BMC acts against people who spit in public. But it is not that effective.' In order to make the law effective and stringent, 'We will also check if we can suspend driving licence of a taxi or auto driver who spits in public places like roads.' (Read: 5 ways to prevent tuberculosis)
We will make the legislation effective so that there will be a deterrent for people who indulge in such activity,' he said. (Read: World Tuberculosis Day 2014 Drug-resistant TB on the rise in India)
With inputs from PTI
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