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The FDA minister on Tuesday, November 18, said that despite the existing ban on manufacturing and sale of gutkha, illegal consignments of the tobacco-containing product are entering the state from outside, causing harm to students and youth.
A statement issued from the minister’s office said Zirwal said the state government is considering using MCOCA against the owners, key operators of gutkha companies and the masterminds behind this illegal trade.
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He said that incidents of transportation and sale of gutkha and ‘pan masala’ keep coming to light in Maharashtra.
According to the statement on Tuesday, a proposal will be sent to the Law and Judiciary Department seeking guidance on whether offenses mentioned under MCOCA can be registered against those responsible for illegal gutkha trade.
Zirwal was speaking at a meeting held at the ministry (secretariat) regarding action against manufacturers and sellers of banned food products like gutkha, pan masala, flavored tobacco, betel nut, ‘kharra’ and ‘mawa’.
He said the state government will enforce the gutkha ban more strictly and directed officials to conduct awareness campaigns against the cancer-causing product at the district level through various departments.
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MCOCA was amended by the state government earlier this year to bring the manufacture, sale and trafficking of drugs or chemical substances under the ambit of the act, akin to drug offences, with some stringent provisions, including stricter bail conditions, more time for filing charge sheets and admissibility of police confessions of accused persons in court.
(edited by : Gareema Bangad,