Sale of Gutka Non-Bailable In Maharashtra

24 March,Mumbai

Maharashtra government has said that those involved in the sale of Gutka will be booked under non-bailable sections regarding the offence.

The manufacture and sale of Gutka is banned in Maharashtra, but it is not implemented effectively as there are no such restrictions in neighbouring states due to which the tobacco-laced chewing products are smuggled in.

State Food and Drug Minister Girish Bapat told the Legislative Assembly Monday that the government is taking steps to enforce the ban strictly.

The issue was raised in State Assembly by Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan of Congress, who said that despite the ban, Gutka is sold in the state even outside Vidhan Bhawan and sought to know what steps the government was taking in this regard.

Bapat said 72,000 shops have been searched and Gutka worth 32 crore rupees has been seized so far. He said, directives have been given to the police to book the accused under section 328 of the IPC, which is non-bailable.