Just a day before the deadline to implement larger pictorial warnings on tobacco products, CNN-IBN has accessed a copy of the affidavit submitted by the Health Minister before the Rajasthan High Court.
The affidavit, which was submitted on March 28, has claimed that 85% warning would appear on both sides of tobacco products and will come into force with effect from April 1, 2016.
Ironically, the affidavit also mentions the observations of the committee on subordinate legislation of the 16th Lok Sabha, which said that only 50% notification would be enough. There has been no word from the government since the recommendation was made by the committee.
The government had issued a notification in October 2015, but then put it on hold and recommended the matter to the subordinate committee.
There has been no fresh notification from the ministry after the committee's report.
It is highly unlikely that the norm of new packs with larger pictorial warnings would be implemented. There has also been no mechanism for checking the status by the ministry yet.
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