Chandigarh,26thJuly,2024. “As per the directions issued by Worthy Advisor to the Administrator, Chandigarh Administration (U.T.) and the able guidance of Secretary Health & Additional Secretary Health, Chandigarh Administration, a Joint Team led by the officers of the Department of the Health & Family Welfare and comprising officials of the Health Department, Police Department, Excise & Taxation Department, Department of Legal Metrology, Food Safety & Drug Control wing conducted a joint raid for enforcement of tobacco control in Chandigarh on 26.07.2024. 1) Sh. Rahul S/o Sh. Veerbhan # Sec-15, Panchkula, (operating Bansal Store Karyana Confectionary, Booth No. 6, MW Market, Industrial Area, Phase-1, Chandigarh) was found to have stock of imported cigarettes without having any purchase record. There were no appropriate Section 6a Signage under COTPA 2003. 2) Sh.Ram Khelawan S/o Sh. Bhola Prasad # Vill-Komam, Post Sathi, The- Baberu, Banda, U.P (Stall Outside Wine Shop, MW Market, Industrial area, Phase 1, Chandigarh) was found to have stock of imported cigarettes without having any purchase record. There were no appropriate Section 6a Signage under COTPA 2003 3) Sh. Manoj Kumar S/o Sh. Vidhya Prakash # 263, Sec-4, Panchkula(9888322077) found to have stock and selling loose cigarettes and imported cigarettes without having any purchase record of imported cigarettes. There were no appropriate Section 6a signage under COTPA 2003. Sh. Rahul S/o Sh. Veerbhan # Sec-15, Panchkula. (operating Bansal Store Karyana Confectioonary, Booth No. 6, MW Market, Industrial Area, Phase-1, Chandigarh) Rs.5000/- imposed by Deptt of controller Legal meterology (weight & measures). Rs.5000/- imposed by Deptt of Health. 8 packets of imported Cigarettes were sized, worth Rs. 3200/-40 packets of loose cigarettes destroyed  worth Rs. 12800/- 2 Sh.Ram Khelawan S/o Sh. Bhola Prasad # Vill-Komam, Post Sathi, The- Baberu, Banda, U.P (Stall Outside Wine Shop, MW Market, Industrial area, Phase 1, Chandigarh). Rs.1000/- imposed by  Deptt of Health. 20 packets of loose cigarettes destroyed worth Rs. 8000/- 3 Sh.Manoj Kumar S/o Sh Vidhya Prakash #263, Sec-4, Panchkula (operating Chaurasia Bros, SB No. 1, Sec 22) Rs.5000/- imposed by Deptt of controller Legal meterology (weight & measures). Rs.5000/- imposed by Deptt of Health. 35 packets of imported Cigarettes were sized, worth Rs. 14,000/- 30 packets of loose cigarettes destroyed  worth Rs. 9000/-. 13 e- cigarettes (vaping devices) were also found alongwith 36 refills of  e- cigarettes. Total Rs.10000/- imposed by Deptt of controller Legal meterology (weight & measures). Rs.11000/- imposed by Deptt of Health 43 packets of imported cigarettes seized worth Rs. 17200/-  as per the whole sale value & much higher retail value by Excise and  taxation Department Worth Rs. 29800/- The fines were imposed upon the shopkeepers by the Health Department Chandigarh and the Excise & Taxation Department and Police Department and Deptt of controller Legal Meterology (weight & measures) amounting to around Rs. 21000/- Illegal imported cigarettes were seized by the Excise & Taxation Department worth Rs.17200/- appropriately in the wholesale market with a much higher retail value on which there was no mandatory 85% pictorial pack warning & Custom, Excise & GST had been evaded. The Police Department representative seized 13 e- cigarettes (vape) alongwith 36 refills of  e- cigarettes  from Chaurasia Bros, SB No. 1, Sec 22, Chandigarh The Director Health & Family Welfare Chandigarh U.T. Dr. Suman Singh assured that such raids shall be continued in future by the Permanent Task Force constituted by the Chandigarh Administration to make the public more aware about the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), COTPA Act, 2003 and the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and to prevent sale of illegal imported cigarettes”.