Junagadh, 15 August 2012

The Government of Gujarat has taken a decision to ban Gutkha. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today announced this decision at 15th August Independence day function in Junagadh.

Shri Modi said that the government hast taken decision to ban Gutkha with effect from 11th September. He said Gutkha eating and its adverse effects over health is a major concern for the government.

“I want to rescue the youths of Gujarat from dangerous disease of Cancer and therefore the Government of Gujarat is today declaring ban on Gutkha. The government will implement the ban from 11 September,” Modi said.

“Don’t purchase new stock of Gutkha, and don’t store the old stock. To give a chance to leave the bad habit of Gutkha to those who consume it, we are giving time. This decision has been taken in direction to save our youths,” he added.

The Chief Minister also announced increase in pension to freedom fighters from existing Rs 5000 per month to Rs 6000 per month.

Gutka ban – the possibilities:

-The notification could be like this: The Food Safety Commissioner, Gujarat, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub section (2) of section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006) in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutka or pan masala, containing either tobacco and/or nicotine or magnesium carbonate as ingredients by whatsoever name these are available in the market and any other products marketed separately to constitute as gutka or pan masala etc as final products are hereby prohibited in state of Gujarat for a period of one year.

-The impact could be like this:Even small paan shops, hawkers, petty sellers found selling gutka or paan masala can be asked to pay fine up to Rs 25,000. If the seller has not complied with the directions of the food safety officials then a fine up to Rs 2 lakh can be imposed.

Read a special article:Ban on Gutka in Gujarat is good, not for one but for number of reasons