Vijayawada: దుర్గమ్మ భక్తులకు గమనిక.. నిబంధనలు ఉల్లంఘిస్తే రూ.200 వరకు జరిమానా

Indrakeeladri, a popular shrine in Vijayawada, has been declared a tobacco-free zone by NTR District Collector Dhillirao. He said the ban on tobacco products in the vicinity of the temple would come into effect from May 26. Tobacco products are said to be banned from the stairwell of the temple to the top of the hill. Employees and devotees have been warned that they will be fined between Rs 20 and Rs 200 for violating the rules. To this end, Collector Dhillirao personally read the Tobacco Prohibition Circular in the vicinity of the temple and explained it to the employees. He said tobacco products were banned in the temple premises as part of the National Tobacco Control, Kotpa 2003 Act. He recalled that the law was already being implemented in Thirumala. Now we are running on Indrakeeladri as the second temple. Devotees coming to the temple and the employees working here have made it clear that tobacco products should not be used in the vicinity of the temple. Collector Delhi Rao opined that media co-operation was essential for the implementation of the law.

Collector Dhillirao said the central government would inform the WHO about the ban on tobacco on Indrakeeladri. Devotees will be made aware of this law in the temple in all ways. He said tobacco products were banned from the temple stairway, ghat road, counters and queue lines. Devotees will be informed about this through FM radio, digital media and pamphlets. Temple Evo Bhramaramba declared that the law was applicable to all devotees and temple employees. The temple employees have already been made aware that this requires the cooperation of all. Kovid clarified that baths at Durga Ghat are not allowed at present due to cases.

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