IMPHAL, July 12: According to the Prohibition of Sale of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products around Educational Institution Rules, 2004, the sale of tobacco products is strictly prohibited in the area within a radius of 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) of any educational institution. However, tobacco products are sold openly right inside the campus of Manipur University without any intervention from the concerned authority.
These prohibition rules have been framed under section 6 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.
The tobacco products such as cigarettes, pan, khaini, gutka, pan masala etc. are found being sold in some stalls attached to the quarters of lower grade employees of the university. The consumers of such tobacco products are none other than the students of the university. Moreover, these stalls are located near the three boys’ hostels of the university and are frequented by the students as they also sell tea, snacks and other commodities of daily use.
One hosteller of Thangjing Boys’ hostel told IFP that he used to occasionally consume pan and some other tobacco products like khaini and gutka while returning to his hostel, but now he has become addicted to the substances.
He said, “I have to demand extra money from my parents just to meet my daily expense on tobacco products. Normally, I spend about Rs. 50 daily to buy them including cigarettes”.
Just few meters outside the campus of Manipur University, almost all grocery shops sell cigarettes, pan and other tobacco products. There is no restriction in the sale of tobacco products near the university campus even if there is a prohibitory act.
As per the rules, a fine of upto Rs 200 can be imposed for selling tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of an educational institution. The offence is compoundable which means no case will be registered if the offender pays the fine.
It is also mandatory for the authority of the educational institution to display and exhibit boards outside the premises stating that the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products within the stipulated area is prohibited. These 100 yards should be measured from the outer limit of the boundary walls of the institute.
It may be mentioned here that the Delhi High Court, on March 21, directed the Delhi University to issue directions to its colleges to appoint nodal officers to ensure that no outlet is found selling tobacco products within a the university us of 10 yards of the educational institutions.
It is high time for the authorities of Manipur University to check the sale of tobacco products inside the campus and within 100 yards of its premises. The anti-tobacco campaign should also touch this prestigious central university. Higher education does not mean only the specialized knowledge a student receives in a particular field. The students should also be well aware of the harmfulness of tobacco products and should organize themselves to launch anti-tobacco campaign in their campus itself.
BOSEM felicitates HSLCE toppers
By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL July 12: The annual prize distribution function of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur for the meritorious students of the HSLCE 2011 was held today at the auditorium of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal. The function is an annual function of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur.
Principal secretary, education (s) and chairman of the Board Dr. J. Suresh Babu, IAS, retd. director of education, Elangbam Yaima, and director of education (s) W. Rajen Singh, MCS, graced the function as the president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Retd director E. Yaima while speaking at the function called for a comprehensive consideration to help restore the Manipuri literature from being lost to oblivion. He reasoned that the Meitei script that was introduced in schools some years back will have adverse affect in the rich Manipuri literature written in Bengali scripts in the foreseeable future and to absorb the negative impacts of the introduction, he asserted that a comprehensive transcription process is needed to be taken of the Manipuri literature into Meitei scripts.
During his speech, he further drew the attention of the concerned authority on the need to improve the quality of the books provided by the Board. He said that the quality of the material used in the books and the structures require extensive upgradation to an accepted standard.
Meanwhile, W. Rajen cautioned that the busy scheduling of students nowadays has deprived the students from the many quality opportunities provided in their lives and further asserted upon the importance of active participations in extra curricular activities in a student’s life.
Ninghthoujam Rishikanta Singh s/o N.Manimohan Singh & N.(o) Memton devi from Kwakeithel Soibam leikai, Imphal of St. Joseph School, Sangaiprou received the this years gold medal of one tola of 24 carats, while Keisham Tampha Ibemma d/o K. Ibobi Singh & K. (o) W. Ibella Singh from Awang Leikinthabi Makha leikai,p.o. sekmai of Tiny Tots’ Unique school received the silver medal along with Rs. 10000 and a citation
The gold medal is awarded to the first position holder of the HSLC examination while the second and the third position holders are provided with a silver medal (one tola) and a cash prize of Rs. 10000; and a cash prize of Rs 8000 respectively. Other rank holders from 4th to 10th are awarded with a cash prize of Rs 5000 each by the Board during the annual prize distribution.
The board wards a gold medal to the student who secured first rank in the HSLC examination. A silver medal (one tola ) and a cash prize of Rs. 10000 are awarded to the 2nd rank holder an dthe third rank holder is awarded a cash prize of Rs. 8000 while all the rank holders from 4th to 10th position are awarded a sum of Rs. 5000 each.
Besides several other prizes donated by various individuals and firms were also handed over to students in recognition of their individual distinction obtained in specific subjects.