Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)’s anti-smoking drive has had an unexpected outcome — a financial windfall for the state-run transport corporation.
KSRTC officials say they have collected close to Rs 1.7 crore as fines from 85,143 passengers who were caught smoking at KSRTC bus stations since 2013.
The number of passengers caught smoking in bus stations has increased from 16,438 in 2013-14 to 32,018 in 2014-15. It reduced to 23,166 in 2015-16.
Here we can see a video which a KSRTC Conductor smoking the cigarette while moving the bus with full pax.
A fine of Rs 200 is imposed on those caught smoking within bus stations under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.
“We are taking strict action against passengers smoking at nearly 150 KSRTC bus stations across the state. The intention is not just to generate revenue but also to create awareness about the health effects of smoking among the public,” said a senior KSRTC official.
The dip in the number of cases over the last few years is a good sign as smoking in KSRTC bus stations has come down drastically,” he added.
Union health ministry recently proposed to raise the penalty for smoking in public from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000.
Dr Vishal Rao, an oncologist and consultant with Public Health Institute, said, “In bus stations, where a large number of people, including children and women, wait are more vulnerable to passive smoking. It’s good that KSRTC is implementing the Act in letter and spirit. KSRTC has set a model for other government departments to enforce the rule,” said Rao.
Separately, KSRTC officials caught 24,183 passengers for urinating at two bus stations – Kempe Gowda Bus Station and Mysore Road Satellite Terminal – and collected Rs 24.18 lakh as fines in 2016. “All bus stations have clean toilets. Action will be taken against those who urinate in public places,” the official added.
