Empowered panel to implement WHO FCTC policy in J&K

Jammu, May 27: The government has constituted an Empowered Committee for implementation of Article 5.3 of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) policy in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides implementation of policy, the Empowered Committee will ensure proper compliance with the protocol and procedure to deal and engage with the tobacco industry or its representatives in J&K.

Administrative Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department, J&K will be the chairman of the panel while Mission Director, NHM, J&K; Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration; Commissioner State Taxes, J&K; Director Health Services, Kashmir and Jammu; a representative each of Home department; Finance department; Housing and Urban Development Department; Department of Law,  Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Industries & Commerce department (not below the rank of Additional Secretary in each case) will be its members.

Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Jammu and Kashmir will be its member secretary.

The panel will upload representation and proceedings of the meeting on the official website of Health & Medical Education Department, J&K for information of all stakeholders and the general public.

As per the order, Administrative Secretary (Health) or Mission Director NHM or Director Health Services, Jammu or Kashmir shall be the special designated officer to receive any representation from the tobacco industry or its representatives and decide whether they are required to be dealt with or not.

He will also decide upon the date for meeting the tobacco industry representatives, if required in consultation with other members.