Two Deputy Chief Ministers, along with three more ministers, were inducted in the MPA Cabinet on Thursday. While Hoping Stone Lyngdoh (HSPDP) and Timothy D Shira (NCP) were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers, Nimarson Momin (UDP), John Anthony Lyngdoh (UDP) and EC Boniface Bamon (NCP) took oath as ministers.

Mr Rymbai had to make way at the eleventh hour for Mr Lyngdoh who reportedly insisted on being included in the ministry. With the swearing-in of two Deputy Chief Ministers and three more ministers, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy completed the process of formation of his 12-member ministry.

Besides Chief Minister Dr Roy, six ministers Dr Adviser Pariong (HSPDP), Conrad K Sangma (NCP), AL Hek (BJP), Paul Lyngdoh (KHNAM), Manas Chaudhuri (Ind) and Donkupar Massar (Ind) were sworn in on Wednesday after the DD Lapang-led MUA ministry quit without facing the scheduled floor test due to the lack of required numbers to stay in power.

According to UDP sources, Mr Rymbai was supposed to be sworn in as a Cabinet minister in the MPA Government on Thursday. The idea of inducting Mr Rymbai in the Donkupar ministry had to be dropped at the last moment following resentment expressed by Mr Lyngdoh who felt the former Chief Minister did not deserve a ministerial berth as he joined UDP only recently.

Concerned over the possibility of further trouble in UDP over the issue that could lead to instability of the MPA Government, UDP leadership had to placate Mr Lyngdoh by accommodating him in the ministry, while offering Mr Rymbai the post of chairman of certain government undertaking, the sources said.

Meanwhile, talking to The Shillong Times, Mr Rymbai said he chose to sacrifice the ministerial berth for the sake of unity and stability of the MPA Government and added that he was satisfied with the arrangement.

"I have agreed to sacrifice the post of minister to pacify those who want to be in the ministry. I told the party leadership that I am willing to do anything for the sake of stability of this government," Mr Rymbai said.

With Mr Rymbai not being included in the Donkupar ministry, Ri-Bhoi district has had no representation in a State Cabinet for the first time since Meghalaya attained statehood. East Khasi Hills has the highest representation in the MPA Government with six ministers, including the Chief Minister, followed by Garo Hills with one Deputy Chief Minister and two ministers, West Khasi Hills with two and Jaintia Hills with one.

The general discussion on the Budget is scheduled for April 28. The Budget session will begin on March 24 with the customary address by the Governor and continue till May 8.

SHILLONG: UDP leader Bindo M Lanong was elected unopposed as the Assembly Speaker on Thursday following the decision of the Congress-led MUA to opt out of the fray.

Mr Lanong's election as the Speaker was announced in the House by Pro Tem Speaker Hoping Stone Lyngdoh. He is the first MLA in the political history of Meghalaya to be elected to the post of Speaker uncontested.

Twenty-four legislators cutting across party lines, including Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, Leader of the Opposition DD Lapang and NCP leader Purno A Sangma, congratulated Mr Lanong upon his election as the Speaker.

Mr Lanong was elected to the State Legislative Assembly in the recent elections for the second time from Malki-Nongthymmai constituency.

Expressing his thanks to members of the House, Mr Lanong lauded Congress-led MUA and its nominee Charles Pyngrope for their "well-considered decision" to withdraw from the race.

"I will not let anybody down," he said, while seeking cooperation of all members for smooth conduct of Assembly proceedings. Later, the Pro Tem Speaker adjourned the House till March 24.

Dr Donkupar Roy- Planning, Personnel and others.
Hoping Stone Lyngdoh - Home (Police) and PWD (Roads).
Timothy D Shira- Community and Rural Development, Art and Culture, Information Technology and Printing and Stationery.
Paul Lyngdoh - Urban Affairs, Municipal, Sports and Youth Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs.
John A Lyngdoh - Taxation, PWD (Building), Food and Civil Supplies and Secretariat Administration Department(SAD).
AL Hek- PHE, Commuinication, Home (Passport), Relief and Rehabilitation.
Conrad Sangma- Finance, Power, Housing, Tourism and General Administration Department (GAD).
Manas Chaudhuri- Higher and Technical Education, Information and Public Relations (IPR), Stamps and Registration.
EC Bamon- Agriculture, Minor Irrigation, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Revenue.
Nimarson Momin- Social Welfare, Transport, Soil and Water Conservation, Civil Defence and Home Guard.
Dr Adviser Pariong- Health and Family Welfare, Horticulture, Re-organisation and Elections.
Donkupar Massar- Mining and Geology, Excise, Weights and Measures and Border Trade.

During interrogation, Nongrem told the BSF that he, along with five others, was lured by HNLC activist one Lungtung of Mawlai to join the banned outfit and had undergone arms training at an HNLC camp in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

"I left for Bangladesh in June 2003 and underwent training along with others, including eight female activists, at an HNLC camp in Chittagong, " Mr Nongrem said.

Along with the rest of the country, Holi will be celebrated in the State on Friday.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, Dr Sidhu said Holi is a festival of colours, joy and merriment celebrated to welcome spring.

"Mythology and folk traditions have imparted to Holi a special significance associating it with the triumph of good over evil. I believe that the traditional bond of friendship among the people would be further strengthened through celebration of Holi," Dr Sidhu said.

The Governor also said, "Easter reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made and his resurrection on the third day of his death."

TURA: With the establishment of a new government in Shillong on Wednesday expectations are manifold in the Garo Hills, particularly Tura, as citizens from a cross section of the population speaking out on the need for a new "change" on the development side.

"The mere fact that horse trading was unable to get the Congree the numbers is a positive sign," said a central government employee even as he reiterated that "bickering" over ministerial posts should be a matter of the past.

"Development should not be in two different coins, viz Khasi Hills getting more than Garo Hills," said Mr Mazumdar, a central government employee. He is of the opinion that the most pressing need of the hour is for the involvement of community participation at all levels of the development sphere.

"Nagaland has begun community participation at all levels of development and Meghalaya should embrace such an opportunity where governance reaches the most remote sections of society," he said.

However, Kiren Lohar begs to differ and says the burning issue is price rise. A private driver who barely makes two ends meet, Kiren is of the opinion the common man cannot affort the rising price of essential commodities.

"More items need to be included in the ration card of the poor, particularly the inclusion of mustard oil, dal and salt," he says while lamenting that constant bickering and a tug-of-war over supremacy between the Congress and the NCP is bound to ensure.

Lecturer of English and a man who keeps in mind the people's pulse, Chandrajeet Bose, feels it is too early for anyone to jump to conclusions on the future prospects of the new government.

"Neither the Congress nor the NCP-UDP alliance have a clear cut majority and skeptics will always term the two sides as a coalition of opportunity and conveniance based on sheer mathematical numbers that sustain either side," he says.

The new government has a lot of areas to cover, feels Mr Bose, as he talks about the need to have better roads and an effective infrastructure which not only includes buildings but a sound human resource mobilisation.

"People are not looking for a Garo Hills-based development by the NCP and a UDP development of Khasi Hills, but equal distribution with the focus on Meghalaya per se," remarked Mr Bose even as he mentioned on the lighter side about the burning issue of power cuts affecting the student community and the need to have better roads.

"Unless there is effective communication (read good roads and telecommunication) the common man cannot prosper," he said and cautioned the MPA against being parochial.

Headmaster of renowned school from Tura, Tyrone D'Brass of Sherwood, pointed out the first priority of the government needs to be on power generation and better road connectivity.

"Previous governments had announced about making Byrnihat and Mendipather business hubs, but so far only Byrnihat has benefitted. What about Mendipather which was suppose to alter the Garo Hills economic slide," questioned Mr D'Brass.

MCTOOA stated that on Tuesday last, a group of persons, who came in three vehicles, extorted Rs 10,000 from every truck carrying wooden logs near Umiam Industrial area.

The Association, in a press release issued here on Thursday, said the "miscreants" vanished from the spot when police came there after some truckers reported about the incident.

In a resolution passed at a joint meeting here on Wednesday, the two organisations have decided to take up with the present government certain issues including State Education Policy, MBoSE syllabus, new textbooks and payment of dues and post-retirement benefit to teachers.

Now that government formation is complete, the MPA coalition will have to work out their priorities. But before that they must disprove the prophets of doom who predict that the MPA would die from infant mortality. Call it the Congress foolhardiness or dreams turn sour but statements like that make us wonder whether political maturity is indeed a thing of the past. Be that as it may the MPA must guard against the Machiavellian tactics of India's oldest political party.

It is said that the MPA allies have worked out a common minimum programme (CMP). This needs to be brought into the public domain so that people can keep a tab on the manner of implementation of those programmes. It is important to have a time frame for every project. We are so used to delays in project impleme-ntation that we do not even complain anymore. Many of us have forgotten that there is a proposed Shillong bye-pass that is supposed to ease the pressure off Shillong city. This complacency on the part of the voters is what makes politicians lackadaisical. In the last five years politicians have been accountable to no one. Not even the legislature!

Before the election campaign even began parties had worked on their manifestoes. People have voted their MLAs on the basis of these electoral promises. The NCP manifesto which is definitely the most intelligently crafted of the lot, speaks of a Transparency Comm-ission comprising people of integrity from different walks of life. This Commission would act as a scanner and filter out deals which are liable to cause loss to the State exchequer and by default to the people of Meghalaya. Such a Commission would prevent any bad deal from being executed by the Government and would reduce the pressure on citizens to use the right to information which is actually a post mortem of a project gone wrong.

The NCP manifesto has also suggested a departure from tradition insofar as appointment of members to the State Planning Board is concerned. Mr PA Sangma had categorically stated, and rightly so, that the State Planning Board should not be packed with failed politicians hunting for the perks of office. It should be a vibrant planning body that would provide a sense of direction to the government. And this is actually what the Planning Board should be. It should be a replica of the Planning Commission in the States. But whereas the Planning Commission is headed by a financial specialist with a deputy who is also a financial wizard, our State Planning Board does look like some abandoned graveyard.

If one recalls correctly, the legally erudite Mr Sangma also spoke of the need for a Department of Commerce in Meghalaya. This department would look after the commercial interests of the State which are currently being handled by the Department of Industries. Such a department if created would be able to concentrate on Meghalaya's market linkages and market directions. At the moment every department is building its own marketing networks and nobody knows what is actually happening. We are not sure how much tea Meghalaya is producing, where it is being sold and at what price. Farmers are short-selling their products because they cannot circumvent that intricate network of the middlemen and merchants. The State has shown no inclination to help farmers by way of a minimum support price. This is also an agenda of the NCP.

Unemployment happens to be the common thread that runs through the manifestoes of all political parties, including the Congress. No one has clearly spelled out how employment will be generated and in which sectors. The CMP would definitely have to look at this critical area. Shillong has the potential to become the information technology (IT) hub after Guwahati. The IT industry can absorb a good number of techno savvy young men and women who are currently adding value to the IT sectors of Bangalore, Gurgaon and Chennai. This pool of human resources would be only too happy to work in familiar surroundings even while they build their capacities further. Genpact one of the leading IT giants is expected to set up shop in Meghalaya. This would need to be expedited.

One other agenda that is high on the list of priorities of most political parties concerns the traditional institutions and their ability to access funds from the Panchayati Raj ministry for developmental projects. What these institutions have not engaged with is whether under their present form they do have the mechanisms to deliver. Unlike the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) these institutions have no connection with the State Government or the District Councils. Moreover they have remained remarkably obstinate in accepting any suggestions for being more inclusive and gender sensitive. It would depend on the MPA to bring about this attitudinal change in them because no Ministry in Delhi will agree to fund institutions that are archaic, gender-exclusive and non-inclusive in this day and age.

At the same time there is a need for some form of delivery mechanisms at the village levels if governance is to have some meaning to people at the grass roots. As of today, neither the State Government nor the District Councils have the delivery mechanisms for grass-roots governance. Basic infrastructure for water supply and sanitation are still not in place thirty six years after Meghalaya is born. Many villages do not have electricity. Still others languish for want of road connectivity. They live and survive by their wits. All these people have aspirations. They too want to see change and they had voted for change.

This is certainly a tall order for a new government that has not been tried and tested. But what is important for the MPA is to garner the goodwill of the people. Participatory governance can only happen under a government that involves people in planning and implementation of projects. Under the new budget passed by the UPA government at the Centre, allocations are made for setting up a central monitoring and evaluation system to oversee project implementation and funds utilization in all states. This might bring some salutary effect to a system that has functioned without any accountability.

We in Meghalaya would expect the State Government to facilitate the setting up of a state level monitoring agency that would also be an autonomous body. This alone would ensure not just speedy implementation of projects but also guarantee that funds are utlised for the purpose they were meant to. This to my mind is the only way to stem corruption, incidentally, all parties promised to put the brakes on corruption. We hope they remind themselves of this commitment on a daily basis.

There are different forms of lotteries in vogue, including many being pushed through TV shows. Lotteries are a regulated business in India, but unlike other regulated businesses (liquor and tobacco, for instance) the state doesn't earn as much from lotteries as from liquor and tobacco. The price payout ratio for lotteries is over 90 per cent (on some schemes) so it's the consumer (and not the state) that gains the most from lottery sales.

That's the reason you see surrogate advertising for liquor or tobacco but not for lottery products. The Zee TV promoted Pan India Network Infravest that launched the first online lottery products by the name of Playwin in 2001. Playwin claims 26 per cent of market share in online products, which are nothing but paperless forms of traditional lotteries.

Put together (paper and paperless), the organised business in lotteries would be around Rs. 15,000 crore on the available market size in 11 states. But it has potential to grow to over Rs. 50,000 crore per annum. Kamlesh Vijay, CEO, Sugal and Damani Group that claims 35-45 per cent share of the paper lottery business. Club to this the unorganised market-which is the illegal betting market of satta and matka would be Rs. 15-20,000 crore according to Vijay, and it would appear that the stakes are indeed high for lottery players in India. Vijay, however, says the market has been on a steady decline over the past 10-years-from Rs. 50,000 crore in 1998 to Rs. 15,000 crore currently.

The reason for this is not difficult to guess. Officially, the price to pay-off in India is one of the highest in the world, that is, 70 per cent to 90 per cent, although this varies from scheme and state to state. Of the 11 lottery promoting states, each earns 1-6 per cent on the sales (1 per cent as direct commission and the rest as administrative costs) while the balance, 10-30 per cent is split between the lottery distributor, sub-distributors and retailers.

In the US, which is one of the biggest lottery promoting markets in the world, the split comes to 40-50 per cent to the winner; 15-20 per cent for the middlemen (operating costs) and the balance to the beneficiaries/states, explains Dr. Usman Fayaz, president of All India Federation of Lotteries and Allied Industries (AIFLTAI), a national-level representative body of lottery distributors, stockists, agents etc.

Since, profits are really small in India (5-6 per cent) when compared to the US (30-45 per cent), the industry is highly fragmented, and non transparent. Regulated better, it could accrue significant sums not just to the players, distributors and retailers, but also to some cash-strapped, geographically disadvantaged states like Megalaya and Mizoram.

A good example of this is a new sports lottery that the State Lotteries Directorate in Kerala launched to fund the development of a new sports infrastructure. A less regulated market would see better products, more variety and better profile of players. Presently, since the cost of entry is so low (some lottery tickets are priced as low as Rs. 5 in India), players largely come from a particular category who, because of the possibility of high payout, become addicted to the games.

Under the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998, lotteries are played in just 11 states-Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim and West Bengal. It represents one of the major economic activities, providing employment to over two million people.

All paper lotteries can be transferred to an online format, the vice versa is not true. For instance, shifting Lotto 6/49 or Bingo into paper format could be a cumbersome exercise although these are gradually becoming very popular. "Online lotteries have done away with the usual distribution and collection hassles. The result declaration is more transparent and it has made lottery agents more accountable.

Lately the online format is becoming very popular in India and paper lotteries are beginning to lose some of their shine, mainly because the online format is more transparent and easy to operate. The ease is for everybody: the player, the lottery operator and the government.

All paper lotteries can be transferred to an online format, the vice versa is not true. For instance, shifting Lotto 6/49 or Bingo into paper format could be a cumbersome exercise although these are gradually becoming very popular.

"Online lotteries have done away with the usual distribution and collection hassles. The result declaration is more transparent and it has made lottery agents more accountable. Tickets can now be bought from a host of vendors, ranging from a local shop to retail showrooms. No wonder in just five years (2002-2007) the number of online terminals has increased from 3,000 (in 2002) to 1,00,000 (in 2007).

Nearly all online terminals have now introduced smart cards. With this credit card, a player receives a 12-digit account number and a four-digit password with which he/she can play Lotto, Thunderball or Bingo even over the phone or Internet. The cards (Done Card, Itz & I Cash Card) are available across retail channels. These are the largest transacted e-commerce suits in the country today. Plans are afoot in some states to make lottery tickets more attractive as collector's items. The reverse side could also carry public service ads. INAV

Sir,

A lot had been happening since the counting of votes for the 2008 Meghalaya Assembly elections on the 7th of March 2008. As per the norm a 31-member party, be it a single majority party or a coalition should be forming the government. However, this was not to happen in our state for our Governor Mr SS Sidhu expressed his inclination towards the Congress and swore in the MUA with D.D Lapang as the Chief Minister giving him 10 days time to garner three more seats. Hence, encouraging horse-trading! The petition filed by the MPA secretary Conrad K Sangma failed to get a relief when the Supreme Court refused to interfere with Governor SS Sidhu's decision to swear in the "minority" Congress-led government.

In the meanwhile the Congress worked really hard night and day moving from pillar to post to buy and win over few members of the MPA. As per the news reports HSPDP president Hoping Stone Lyngdoh claimed that (The Shillong Times dt. 19th March 2008) Chief Minister DD Lapang had even offered him the Chief Minister's chair for the first two and half years after which Mr Lapang would take over for the remaining period. The Congress High Command allegedly offered Purno Agitok Sangma the post of Defence Minister in the Union Cabinet if his NCP would join the Congress-led government in the state (courtesy The Shillong Times dt. 13th March 2008). Power and lucrative portfolios were offered to some of the legislators of the MPA. However post-election results and ten days of fruitless ordeals of the Congress Party under the leadership of DD Lapang failed to garner the requisite number of legislators. The curtains are finally down with D.D. Lapang stepping down as Chief Minister on 19th March 2008 after failing to prove his majority.

At this stage, I would like to congratulate the MPA for their discipline, solidarity and consistency towards their commitment. I personally feel this is a milestone in Meghalaya politics. At this point of time, I look up to this bunch of legislators with the hope that they remain intact and brave the turbulence ahead.

The MPA legislators should begin their innings with honesty and sincerity and prove false the prediction of DD Lapang that this alliance would crumble and collapse in a few months. I pray and hope that all the members of the MPA would stand strong and invincible as a rock and combat all forms of enticement that may come their way. They should rather take this prophesy of DD Lapang as a challenge and work together to prove him wrong. Purno A Sangma stated that Mr. Lapang will have to wait for five years if he wishes to come back to power. The MPA have to back up this statement of their leader. It is common knowledge that Lapang and his bosses from the Congress High Command would leave no stone unturned to create rifts in the MPA Alliance so as to bring the Congress party into power. I hope that the MPA would not be tempted by allurements and thereby create history and precedence in our political scenario. If the MPA can really achieve this then I can proudly say that yes, in our midst, we still have the likes of U Tirot Singh, U Woh Kiang Nangbah, Pa Togan Sangma and many more of our unsung heroes. This would certainly be an eye opener to our future politicians.

However, in a democracy there are mixed feelings about everything. Some believe that a stable government with false and unstable promises will only bring loss of faith on stability for they have only seen self-growth, self-development and self-enhancement of power and money of the legislators once they assume office.

Their expectations are towards a better and brighter future for the state and its people. Will the new government prove its worth and really serve the people or will it also conveniently forget the common man? This is a question that can be answered by none other than the legislators themselves. Only time will tell!

Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar
Shillong -4.
Via e-mail

Kohima: Nagaland Governor K Sankaranarayanan said on Thursday the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) will continue to be an active facilitator of the ongoing peace process between the Centre and Naga outfits.

Addressing the first Budget Session of 11th state Assembly, the Governor told the House the DAN government will pursue and continue to support civil societies and churches in their noble venture towards reconciliation and peace for a united Naga family.

He also appealed to the underground groups to stop fratricide and bloodshed.

In his 27-minute speech, the Governor said the current Assembly has 19 new faces and number of professionals, who will use their skills in innovating ideas to provide a transparent government. He hoped that the Members of the House will not betray the trust and mandate given by the people and devote themselves to the service of the people.

The Governor praised the DAN government for its contribution to the state development and mentioned the 'Year of Farmers' with a theme 'Back to land' in last two years, for bringing self-sufficiency and surplus production of food.

He also informed the Members that the Nagaland Pulp and Paper Company (NPPC) was being revived and the production at Tuli Paper Mill in Mokokchung district was expected by September, nest year. (UNI)

Imphal: A militant organisation on Thursday threatened to shot dead an assistant engineer it had kidnapped if ransom was not paid.

The 51-year-old assistant engineer of the minor irrigation department, Lalji Singh, was kidnapped from Kanchipur in Imphal West district while he was going to office about five days ago by the People's United Liberation Front, official sources said on Thursday.The sources said that negotiations were underway through emissaries with the militants, who have demanded Rs 70 lakh. (PTI)

Aizawl: ONGC and IOC have completed geological and geochemical survey for oil and gas exploration in parts of Mizoram.

Geophysical survey is expected to be completed by this month, state Industry minister B Lalthlengliana said in the assembly on Wednesday.

"Both Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation faced no problem while carrying out the surveys," he said in a written reply to queries from ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) MLAs - Lalthlengliana and D Thangliana.

Accroding to the industry minister, ONGC and IOC won bids to carry out survey for oil and gas exploration in a block of 5,340 sq km area near Mizoram, Tripura and Bangladesh border.

Indian companies like, Oil India Limited, Suntera Resources Limited, Shiv-Vani Oil and Exploration Limited were engaged in the exploration of a block measuring 3,213 sq km in the middle part of the state, he said, adding the companies employed the services of Oil Field Services Limited and Geophysical Institute of Isarel in their ventures. He added that another block, covering an area of 3,619 sq km in southern parts of Mizoram was awarded to Reliance Energy Limited, Reliance Natural Resources Ltd, Naftogas of Russia and GE Petrol Internationale Inch of France.

Mizoram government has purchased 400 AK-47 assault rifles during 2004-08, Home minister Tawnluia informed the Assembly on Thursday.

In a written reply to a query from Lalrinliana Sailo, Tawnluia said the cost of one AK-47 rifle was Rs 7,794.33 which included accessories like magazines.

He said that as per instructions of the Ministry of Home affairs, the CRPF was appointed as nodal agency for purchase of AK-47 rifles. (Agencies)

NEW DELHI: North-East suffers from high incidence of cancer which is more than the national average, mostly due to smoking habits. But as if this is not bad enough, the students and teachers of the region consume tobacco more than any other part of the country.

This shocking news was revealed in the Health Ministry's Global School Personnel Survey 2006 which was released on Thursday by Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss. Mr Ramdadoss is an avowed anti-smoking activist trying to put gory pictures on cigarette and bidi packs.

More than half of the teachers and clerks from schools in the Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura were found to use tobacco products. This is more than even that of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal.

The report indicates that nearly to out of every ten school personnel consume some form of tobacco product other than cigarettes (23.7 per cent). Here again students from NE lead with 34.3 per cent which is higher than any other region of the country.

What's worse, one-fourth of the school personnel reported smoking or chewing tobacco on the school premises.

Again it is an irony that incidence of smoking is higher among the medical students than their counterparts even though the Minister is dead against this practice.

While over one in ten school personnel reported smoking cigarettes at present, nearly two in ten school personnel reported use of tobacco products other than cigarettes.

The report pinpoints the south, north and north-eastern regions as seeing an alarming trend - there was no significant difference between the number of males and females using tobacco products but the number of fair sex consuming such harmful products is increasing, the report said.

According to the survey that took one year to complete, six out of ten schools do not follow a tobacco-free policy.

Nearly four in five school personnel reported never having received training to prevent the youth from tobacco use.

Almost two in three school personnel reported their schools did not have non classroom alcohol control activities. They also said they had no access to teaching materials on tobacco.

The report prepared on the basis of extensive surveys done on behalf of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and World Health Organization reflects that there is a high prevalence of tobacco use among students, school personnel and also medical students. The surveys were done during 2006 among students in the age group of 13-15 years, school personnel and 3rd year medical / dental students.

The Tobacco Control Act, 2003 prohibits smoking in public places, direct or indirect advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products on billboards and in all media excluding point of sale.

Rules prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors (less than 18 years), sale within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution and rules for specified health warnings on the package of all kinds of tobacco products have been issued.

Rules for prescribing the nicotine and tar contents are in the process of being framed.