Thursday, September 29 2005 18:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The October two deadline for ban on smoking in films is likely to be postponed to January one next year in view of the differences between the ministries concerned, official sources said today (Sept 29, 2005).

"After the discussions between the Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy and Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, it has come out that the October two deadline will have to be postponed," the sources said.

However, the Health Minister does not want an 'indefinite postponement', they said.

The deadline is now likely to be extended to January one, they said adding a notification in this respect would be issued soon. ] Reddy wants certain concessions on the ban on smoking scenes in films and on television.

"Now where these exceptions will be applied is being worked out," they said.

However, Health Minister is not happy with the idea of 'dilution' of the on-screen smoking ban, they said.

Several representations, especially from the film industry, have been made to the I & B ministry to protest the proposed blanket ban on on-screen smoking.