Authorities unaware of Smoke-free city project

KOCHI: District administration has projects to make Kochi, a tobacco-free zone. Strangely, the top officials of the District administration and the Health Department who are in charge of this project are unaware of the working of this project. The project commenced on October 2, 2008. When you step into the Collectorate, the signage boards and posters, which are part of this campaign would not escape anybody’s attention. As per the information given by the Kerala Voluntary Health Service (VHS), which is also one of the parties involved in the project, these signage boards and notices are a sample campaign to create awareness among the people. But the whole purpose was defeated as none of the employees, ranging from the directors of the various departments to the lower employees seemed to be completely aware of the situation.The notices and signage boards were issued under the name of District administration, District Medical Officer (DMO) and Kerala VHS. District Collector, P I Sheikh Pareeth who is the chairman of this project was not available to comment. DMO R Sudhakaran, who is the convener of the project also could not provide ample information. “It is a project organised by a Non Governmental Organisation named Kerala Voluntary Health Service VHS. Regarding the details, I will contact the staff in charge of it,” he said.The Kerala Voluntary Health Services washed their hands of by saying that it is the responsibility of the District administration. “District administration is entirely responsible for this project. We provide only technical support and secretarial assistance,” said  Saju Itty, project director, Smoke-Free Ernakulam.The notices pasted on the walls said, 'In case one smokes here, please lodge a complaint to 0484 - 2427433.' There was no mention of name and address of whom to contact. When this reporter dialled the number, the person on the other end did not know whom to connect and then the call was transferred to yet another section. And finally we had to hang up after fifteen minutes as there was no response from the other end.