Maha's anti-spitting bill: Tussle between health, finance

Maharashtra Health Minister Dr Deepak Sawant today claimed that the file concerning the much-touted anti-spitting law, which the state government was to introduce to curb the spread of infectious diseases, was stuck with the Finance Department, with Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar denying it.
Sawant, at a function last year on World Cancer Day, had mooted a law banning spitting at public places, besides the one proposed to ban chewing of tobacco in public.
"The bill is ready but stuck in the Finance Department. We are yet to decide on channelisation of funds which would be generated from (fines on) offenders," he said.

"Maharashtra will be the first state in the country to come up with such a law," the Health Minister added.
However, Mungantiwar denied receiving any file regarding the matter.
"No file comes to the Finance Department and gets stuck. We either work on a particular case or send it back if there are any issues. As far as this case is concerned, no such file is pending," he told PTI.
According to the draft bill, a first-time offence of spitting in public will attract a fine of Rs 1,000 and a day of social work at a public hospital or government office.

Second-time offenders will have to pay a fine of Rs 3,000 and do a three-day community service. Further repeat offences will attract a fine of Rs 5,000 and a five-day social service.