The Jharkhand cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to completely ban hookah bars in the state. As per the decision, those flouting rules may face a prison sentence or a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

The cabinet has also approved a decision to make the sale and purchase of tobacco products like cigarettes at public places illegal. Anyone found breaking the rules will be fined Rs 1,000. The earlier fine charged under the law was Rs 200.

A decision to increase the minimum age for buying tobacco products in the state has also been increased from 18 to 21. It may be noted that those below the age of 21 will not be allowed to purchase any tobacco products.

The state cabinet also approved an earlier order that bans the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of education institutions, religious places and courts. All of these provisions will be amended under the COTPA Act of 2003.

Additionally, a decision was taken to approve the Jharkhand Green Energy Cess Bill 2021, under which a cess of Rs 0.15 will be levied from companies that produce power from conventional sources and some other organisations.

However, the cess will not be applicable to power companies where the state owns a 51 per cent stake.