June 27, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1423

NEW DELHI, June 26: The sale of colas and other carbonated drinks has been banned in schools in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, a news report said Wednesday.

Stating that drinking colas was not good for health, many schools in Hyderabad in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have banned the sale of these drinks on campuses, the Star News Channel reported.

“They (the children) didn’t like it when I told them cold drinks have been banned,” said Rama Devi, principal of Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, adding that the children were explained about how colas cause tooth decay.

Officials in the Andhra Pradesh state education department added that they would rather have their students drink healthier, fresh juices.

A public interest litigation has also been filed in the Delhi High Court, asking for a ban on sale of carbonated drinks in school and college cafeterias.—dpa