India's health ministry has proposed a ban on the production and import of electronic-cigarettes, documents seen by Reuters showed, potentially jeopardizing the expansion plans of big firms like Juul Labs and Philip-Morris-International. The ministry has proposed that the government issue an executive order banning the devices in the public-interest, saying it was needed to ensure e-cigarettes don't become an "epidemic" among children and young-adults.

With the aim to move towards "healthy eating", the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has decided to serve food like dates, roasted chana, almond and walnuts instead of cookies and biscuits. The Health Ministry issued a circulation on June 19 making it mandatory not to serve cookies, biscuits or any unhealthy fast food with immediate effect.

The centre's proposal of providing nutritional support of Rs.500 per month to tuberculosis patients lacks clarity about how disbursal of the money will be effected through direct benefit transfer (DBT), according to STOs. The food packages also cost more than amount provided, these officers said. STOs have raised concerns about providing entitlements to beneficiaries who do not possess Aadhaar cards or have bank accounts.