Maharashtra government floats task force on diabetes, obesity

Maharashtra government has set up a task force to generate awareness about non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity and suggest ways to control companies making fast food items.

The 17-member body, set up by the Public Health Department, consisting of health experts among others, will focus on generating awareness about non-communicable diseases and suggesting ways to impose curbs on companies making fast food items, seen as a leading cause of such ailments, according to a government resolution (GR).

Non-communicable diseases are responsible for 60 per cent of the deaths in the country, said the GR issued late last week.

Various schemes and programmes of the Union Health Ministry will be incorporated in the state-level awareness campaign, it said.

The state government has already shown its inclination to impose an extra tax on fast food on the lines of Kerala, where the levy on such items stood at 14.5 per cent.