Maha: 6 months jail for spitting, smoking in public

Team Udayavani, May 30, 2020, 9:38 AM IST

Mumbai: The public health department of Maharasthra on Friday ordered strict action against people spitting or smoking in public. A jail term for a period of six months and repeat offenders for up to two years has been decided to under the provisions of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, and  the Indian Penal Code

“Spitting and smoking in public are not good habits. Spitting in public spreads coronavirus,” Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.

Under Section 269 of the IPC, an offender faces up to six months imprisonment or fine, or both. Section 270 of the IPC provides for jail up to two years or fine, or both.

As per the new guidelines, the first-time violators will have to pay a fine of Rs 1,000 and perform public service for one day, second-time violators will have to pay of fine Rs 3,000 and perform public service for three days and third-time violators will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and perform public service of five days.