Bathinda, Nov 12: To make Balloh village in Bathinda tobacco-free, the local panchayat led by sarpanch Amarjit Kaur has passed a resolution banning the sale of all tobacco products within village limits.
At a meeting with local shopkeepers, it was unanimously decided that no one would sell cigarettes, bidis, or chewing tobacco. The panchayat announced that anyone found violating the order would face a fine of ₹5,000.
“To ensure our youth stay healthy and our environment remains clean, we have collectively decided to make Balloh a tobacco-free village,” sarpanch Amarjit Kaur said during the meeting.
A rally was also organised in the village to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. Several villagers and panchayat members participated, pledging to support the campaign.
Balloh’s initiative follows a similar step taken earlier this year by Katorewala village in Muktsar district’s Malout Assembly segment, where the panchayat had banned tobacco and its byproducts, energy drinks, and drugs.
The Balloh panchayat has previously undertaken several eco-friendly measures, strengthening its image as a community-driven model for rural development.
