Section 5 of COTPA, 2003, prohibits the advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products. The additional director of health department said that the children in the age group of 6-10 years have been observed by him using indigenously made hookahs. Giving a stern warning to those promoting smoking, the AAP government has asked the Union health ministry to stop the promotion of smoking and ‘hookah’ in the three web series, ‘Made in Heaven,’ ‘Mirzapur,’ and ‘Four More Shots Please,’ which are being aired on Amazon Prime Video.The additional director of Delhi health department said that the children in the age group of 6-10 years have been observed by him using indigenously made hookahs.He said that this was really a very serious situation from the public health point of view and these violations are punishable under Sections 5 and 22 of COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act).  
Dr Arora emphasised that even if these were not covered under COTPA, it’s really high time that the Centre did something immediately before our youths got trapped in the habit of these hazardous products as the viewership of online TV and film shows comprise mostly of youngsters.“You (Union health ministry) are humbly requested to take necessary action to stop the promotion of smoking/hookah, especially if any TV/film running online is very popular among the youngsters,” he said.“At present, all cinema houses are bound to show advertisements warning people that smoking causes cancer. It’s precisely why many movies show this advertisement to make people aware of the ill effects of smoking,” he added.Dr Arora has also written to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and producers of the shows for stopping these violations immediately on legal and moral grounds as well. Mr Bezos’s office has replied that they have received the complaint and will respond shortly, he said.
Section 5 of COTPA, 2003, prohibits the advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products.This prohibition extends to the depiction of tobacco products or their use in auto door seal films, television, and web programmes.According to Dr Arora’s letter, one of the episodes of ‘Made in Heaven’ shockingly promotes the making of hookah at home from plastic bottles.    He said that these web series are promoting smoking and hookah among youngsters, who may easily get influenced as these serials are being produced and acted by their favourite TV and film personalities.

Currently India’s high-value and value-added agriculture produce in its agriculture export basket is less than 15 per cent compared to 25 per cent in the US and 49 per cent in China, official sources said.Highly placed sources said that the Prime Minister’s Office has given its go ahead to it and the draft policy is likely to be placed before the Cabinet next week. This, sources said, is on the lines of "Make In India" policy of the NDA Government.Deregulation of processed and organic food items and their greater export will be the key thrust of the policy, as the Government wants to boost the countrys Silicone Rubber O-Rings Suppliers agricultural growth, which after witnessing a five-fold growth between 2004-05 and 2013-14, had slid in the past four years.
Another focus of the policy is on promotion of "Produce of India", infrastructure and logistics to support agricultural exports, establishment of strong quality regimen, self-sufficiency and export-centric research & development.From 8.Traditionally Indias agriculture export policy has been restrictive, in the sense that it has often practiced controlled trade of farm produces so that domestic prices remain under control and inflation can be checked.7 billion in 2004-05, agricultural exports in India had grown to 42.Sources in the know informed this newspaper that the policy, which after extensive review has been cleared by the PMO, is likely to call for curbing frequent export bans, by encouraging greater high value added agricultural exports.
It also outlines creation of export-centric clusters and some of the proposed clusters are that for bananas, pomegranates, mangoes, grapes, litchis, apple, tomato, mint, ginger, chillies and potatoes. Right at the heels of its endeavour to double farmers’ income by 2022, the NDA Government — which has already considerably hiked support prices for major crops — is all set to unveil a liberalised National Agriculture Export Policy, whose crux is to double country’s farm exports to 60 billion in the next five years.The draft policy sends out a positive signal to the international commodity markets that processed agricultural products and organic products will not be brought under any export restrictions. By doing so, India would be looking to be placed among the top 10 agriculture exporters of the world by 2022. Therefore the thrust of the proposed agriculture export policy is to open up exports of such products and in the process, increase penetration of Indian products, especially perishables, in newer markets, they added.The draft policy, which has been in the works for some time now, was fast tracked by the PMO, as the Government wanted to expedite it finalisation before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The companys revenue in the financial year 2017-18 stood at over Rs 3,900 crore. Rising input costs due to strengthening of the US dollar and increase in oil prices will make price hikes of consumer durable products inevitable from June, Godrej Appliances said.Rising input costs due to strengthening of the US dollar and increase in oil prices will make price hikes of consumer durable products inevitable from June, Godrej Appliances said.
"With the rise in US dollar and oil prices, inputs costs for the companies has gone up.. price hike (of consumer durables) is inevitable," Godrej Appliances Business Head and Executive Vice President Kamal Nandi told PTI.When asked about the quantum of hike by Godrej Appliances, he said: "We are observing the price movements... the quantum of price hike will depend on how the US dollar and oil prices move... US dollar at over Rs 66 against rupee is already high...Price hike will auto rubber Manufacturers happen after June, when we have to order for new inventory."Nandi said the percentage of imported components in a finished product can range from 10-15 per cent to as high as 50-60 per cent.Godrej Appliances, the consumer durables division of the Godrej Group, is eyeing 25 per cent increase in revenue at Rs 5,000 crore in the current fiscal.
The companys revenue in the financial year 2017-18 stood at over Rs 3,900 crore. Nandi said the consumer durables industry made representations to the Finance Ministry for slashing the GST on products from 28 per cent to 18 per cent."If the government brings down GST on consumer durables, it will help the industry register good growth in this financial year. It also help offset higher input costs due to US dollar and oil prices," he added.The company is also looking at expanding its distribution network this year by adding more exclusive brand outlets (EBO) and number of outlets through which it sells its products."We open EBOs in tier II to tier IV and not in metros. We have 80 EBOs at present and in this financial year we will add another 20 to take it to 100. We also plan to expand our distribution channel and add 7,000-8,000 outlets this year," said. At present, Godrej Appliances sells its products through 22,000 outlets across the country.

Mondelez India makes chocolates under brand name Dairy Milk, among others."It is a welcome step which will benefit the consumers. As many as 178 items of daily use were shifted from the top tax bracket of 28 per cent to 18 per cent. HUL will be delighted to pass on the net benefits at the corporate level to the consumers," a Hindustan Unilever spokesperson said. As many as 178 items of daily use were shifted from the top tax bracket of 28 per cent to 18 per cent while a uniform 5 per cent tax was prescribed for all restaurants, both air- conditioned and non-AC.Items such as chewing gum, chocolates, coffee, custard powder, marble and granite, dental hygiene products, polishes and creams, sanitary ware, leather clothing, artificial fur and wigs have been kept under the 18 per cent slab."This is a welcome step and would benefit the masses.
The company had reduced 5 per cent in hair oils and 3-4 per cent in saffola oils post GST rollout in July, he added.He further said this would help people purchase their goods for daily requirement at lesser price."This reduction will make these products more affordable and will certainly aid consumption."We are delighted with this very progressive step that the government has taken to reduce GST rates for products like ours that are consumed by the masses.Similarly, cookers, stoves, after-shave, deodorant, detergent and washing power, razors and blades, cutlery, storage water heater, batteries, goggles, wrist watches and mattress will also attract 18 per cent tax rate against 28 per cent earlier.  
Marico has been very proactive in terms of passing on the benefits of lower GST rates to consumers," Marico Ltd CFO Vivek Karve said. Soap, detergent, toothpaste and shampoo etc are such articles which are used by people at large scale by all the sections of society, whether poor or rich," Patanjali Ayurveda CEO and MD told PTI. Company had reduced 5 per cent in hair oils and 3-4 per cent in saffola oils post GST rollout in July.The Council on Friday reduced tax rates on over 200 items ranging from chewing gum and chocolates to beauty products and wigs and wrist watches to provide relief to consumers and businesses. We have always believed in keeping the interest of our consumers in mind and will pass on the benefits to them," a Mondelez India spokesperson said.Consumer product makers, including HUL and Patanjali, on Friday hailed the GST Council Grommet Factory decision to lower tax rates on # commonly used items and said the benefits will be passed on to customers

FMCG index was trading 2.56 per cent higher at 9,693.49 during the late morning trade. Investor sentiment was upbeat following progress on the GST front, with o-ring Manufacturers the GST Council finalising rates for most goods.FMCG stocks stepped into the limelight today, surging up to 7 per cent, as common use products such as hair oil, soaps and toothpaste will cost less from July 1 when GST is due to set in.Investor sentiment was upbeat following progress on the GST front, with the GST Council finalising rates for most goods.Shares of Tata Coffee rose by 6.84 per cent, Colgate Palmolive jumped 6.53 per cent and ITC 6.27 per cent on the BSE.
Among others, Marico gained 4.84 per cent, KRBL (4.59 per cent), Emami (3.65 per cent), HUL (3.5 per cent) and Britannia Industries (3.36 per cent).Following the jump in these stocks, the BSE FMCG index was trading 2.56 per cent higher at 9,693.49 during the late morning trade."GST rates for select products have been disclosed wherein lower tax rates on FMCG products was on expected lines," Edelweiss Research said in a report.On the first day of a two-day meeting of the GST Council yesterday, it was decided that commonly used products like hair oil, soaps and toothpaste will be charged with a single national sales tax or GST of 18 per cent.
These items at present attract 22-24 per cent tax incidence through a combination of central and state government levies.FMCG firms Dabur and Emami welcomed the rates on commonly used consumer items, stating it would be beneficial but more clarity is needed to figure our the overall impact."The announcement of 18 per cent GST rate for soaps, toothpaste and hair oil is along the expected lines and is certainly welcome. It will have a positive impact on our business," Dabur India CEO Sunil Duggal said.