Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday told Bombay High Court that it had not decided on steps drastic to smoking to curb Covid-19 infection.
A judicial bench in Datta Datta and Justice Gires Kulkarni heard a request to intervene, in litigation of public interest in Covid-19 management, by Mumbai Bidi Tambaku Vyapari Sangh and the Federation of Retailers Associations opposite the prohibition of smoking.
“The Bidi’s association is under concern that drastic orders can be passed.
Let me put it on rest.
This is not what the state is contemplated at this stage,” said Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni.
In earlier hearing, HC has asked the state to tell what steps can be taken to avoid the adverse effects of Covid19 in smokers.
The state has submitted a June 15 report by Dr.
Rajendra Badwe, director, the warning center that refers to various studies around the world which shows that smokers indicate that smokers tend to be influenced by covid infections.
But Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam for the Federation said a study conducted by the Scientific and Industrial Research Council said smokers were more protected than non-smokers and were in Covid19 infection.
Judges questioned the CSIR credentials to enter medical studies.
“There are also doctors on this list,” said Kadam, added that there were also studies from countries such as the US, France, Italy and China.
The judges showed that TMC was under the Aegis atomic energy department.
“They are experts,” CJ said.
Kadam said while the country must make a CSIR report policy decision “is not something that can be destroyed.” The judges allowed both the body, including the Sangh represented by Senior Advocate Kevic Setalvad, to intervene and would hear them on the next hearing.