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Jharkhand Govt bans gutkha, pan masala
The Munda dispensation on Tuesday decided to clamp a complete ban on production, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine. The decision would be applied throughout Jharkhand from the date of issue of notification, in keeping with what the rest of the country.
Cabinet Secretary NN Pandey said the ban had been applied keeping in mind worries caused due to usage of the harmful products, especially among teenagers.
“Cases of cancer patients have increased at the rate of 8 to 10 per cent since 2006. Out of them, 25 to 30 per cent cases are of mouth cancer, caused primarily due to these. The Cabinet has thus given its nod to ban guktha and pan masala.”
Later, Health Minister Hemlal Murmu told The Pioneer that the Government had taken a prompt step to save the younger generation and poor of the society from being exposed to dangerous diseases.
“Gutkha was causing an adverse effect on teenagers. People become prone to cancer and then come to us for Rs 3 lakh as grant for the treatment. Now, when the ban is applied it is up to the Government machinery to implement it properly,” he said adding that role of NGOs in creating awareness among the common man would be crucial.
Provisions of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, would be applied for violators, including a fine of Rs 25,000 if somebody is caught selling the proscribed products or jail term for seven to 10 years.
The Munda dispensation on Tuesday decided to clamp a complete ban on production, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine. The decision would be applied throughout Jharkhand from the date of issue of notification, in keeping with what the rest of the country.
Cabinet Secretary NN Pandey said the ban had been applied keeping in mind worries caused due to usage of the harmful products, especially among teenagers.
“Cases of cancer patients have increased at the rate of 8 to 10 per cent since 2006. Out of them, 25 to 30 per cent cases are of mouth cancer, caused primarily due to these. The Cabinet has thus given its nod to ban guktha and pan masala.”
Later, Health Minister Hemlal Murmu told The Pioneer that the Government had taken a prompt step to save the younger generation and poor of the society from being exposed to dangerous diseases.
“Gutkha was causing an adverse effect on teenagers. People become prone to cancer and then come to us for Rs 3 lakh as grant for the treatment. Now, when the ban is applied it is up to the Government machinery to implement it properly,” he said adding that role of NGOs in creating awareness among the common man would be crucial.
Provisions of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, would be applied for violators, including a fine of Rs 25,000 if somebody is caught selling the proscribed products or jail term for seven to 10 years.
Prakash
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