Calling it a ‘social problem’, the higher education regulator said there is a need to raise voice against the practice of spitting in public places.
New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to all state and central universities, asking them to launch an anti-spitting campaign in line with the Modi government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
“Even as there is a provision under Swachh Bharat scheme wherein civic bodies can fine people for spitting in public spaces, nothing much seems to have changed, which is why government is now launching a separate campaign,” said a government official.
Calling it a “social problem”, the higher education regulator said in its circular that there is a need to raise voice against the practice of spitting in public places.
According to the UGC circular, “rampant spitting is spreading communicable diseases…like TB”.
“Spitting in public places is a sickening sight that most of us witness every day. The youth can take an active part in raising awareness among the public,” the circular sent to all universities two days ago, read.
The UGC has asked students to take out rallies, conduct public events on the subject, sponsor campaigns against spitting, littering, vandalism, damaging greenery as well as smoking in public places.
Volunteers of the National Service Scheme, a government-sponsored public service programme run by most colleges, can also take up an initiative in this regard, the UGC suggested.
Posters and stickers linking spitting to health problems, especially those related to tobacco consumption, may be put up on the campuses, the UGC circular said.
“You are also requested to take necessary urgent steps on the points suggested above in your university and in all the colleges affiliated to your university,” the circular read.
Health minister pushed the idea
Two years ago union health minister J.P. Nadda had said in Parliament that there was a need to spread awareness about the issue. He said that though there is no separate budget for a campaign but awareness should be spread to check this menace.
The issue was raised after Rajya Sabha MPs raised a demand to treat spitting on par with “open defecation”. Trinamool Congress MP Nadimul Haq went on to the extent of calling India a “spitting country”.
“Diseases such as tuberculosis are spread through spitting. India needs to get to rid of this habit. This should be included in the clean India campaign,” Haq had said.
Even as municipal laws already prohibit spitting and prescribe penalties, the provisions are not strictly enforced. The Delhi government had included spitting in sanitation bylaws in 2013 and announced a fine of Rs 250 but it failed to act as a deterrent.
In Mumbai, municipal corporations launch drives at regular intervals. In Uttar Pradesh, spitting in railway stations can attract a fine of up to Rs 100.
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