‘Action against mandals displaying gutkha ads’

Several Ganesh mandals accept sponsorship from gutkha,tobacco and liquor companies and put up hoardings and banners of the products. Though a few Ganesh mandals had vowed to not accept sponsorships from gutkha and liquor companies,many other mandals,including bigger ones,were found putting up direct or surrogate advertisements of these products.

Meanwhile,Zagade said gutkha worth Rs 6 crore has been seized by FDA in various raids in the state since July 19. Stocking of gutkha and pan masala or their sale invites a fine of up to Rs 25,000 for small vendors and Rs 2 lakh and imprisonment of up to six months for retailers and wholesalers.

Zagade clarified that not only gutkha but even its constituents which can be combined to make gutkha or pan masala has also been banned.

“The notification itself says that gutkha and the substances which can be combined to be marketed as gutkha has also been banned,” said Zagade. But he restrained from commenting if the ban on gutkha constituents was being effectively implemented.

“The decision to ban gutkha was taken on July 11 but the notification was issued on July 19. This time provided a window for traders who were stocking the product within the state. They quickly moved the stock to neighbouring states where gutkha hasn’t been banned. To make sure that this lot is not smuggled back,we have plugged 11 roadway entry points and a few railway entry points to the state from where,we suspected,illegal import could take place,” said Zagade.

“I have also written to all FDA commissioners in all neighbouring states which are yet to ban gutkha,urging them to follow the example of Maharashtra by banning the same. Only two states which share boundary with us,Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh,have banned gutkha. Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh,Silvasa haven’t forbidden it yet. Gujarat has taken a decision but is yet to implement it. We are monitoring manufacturing units in these states and the movement of gutkha consignments to check the entry in Maharashtra,” said Zagade.