IMPHAL, Nov 8 � State-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) Hospital here has decided to impose a fine of Rs 500 on anyone who bring in and chew �pan�, use �khaini� or smoke inside the hospital.
JNIMS Director Prof M Shyamo Singh informed this at a fortnight-long cancer detection programme cum awareness programme here on Friday.
�We will be imposing fine amounting to Rs 500 on those who chew pan or khaini or smoke inside the hospital,� said Prof Singh. �Smoking in public place is restricted here.�
Such steps will help in preventing cancer, the second most common disease and cause maximum mortality in Manipur which ranks fifth among States in India that consume largest quantity of tobacco products. But the JNIMS authority is yet to issue a formal order in this regard so far.
The step has been taken after Chief Minister O Ibobi had instructed the security guards posted at JNIMS to impose a fine up to Rs 5000 on those who bring in Pan or Khaini inside the hospital after he saw people spitting on the hospital walls in his visit to the hospital on November 5.
The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), a premier medical institute in NE, based in Imphal, had imposed the restriction some years back.
