Notice to government on gutka ban

Belgaum-based manufacturers challenge the May 30 order

The Karnataka High Court has ordered issue of notice to the State government on petitions challenging the ban imposed on the manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of gutka and paan masala containing tobacco and nicotine as ingredients.

Justice B.S. Patil, sitting at the Dharwad Circuit Bench of the High Court, passed the order on petitions filed by Ghodawat Pan Masala Products (I) Private Ltd., Heera Enterprises, and Raja Nandini Foods Private Ltd., all based in Belgaum district.

Further hearing has been adjourned till June 11.

These firms claimed that the ban imposed under the provision 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sale) Regulations 2011, was a violation of the provisions of the Food and Safety Act, 2006 and the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Sale and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.

The government imposed the ban with effect from May 30 while treating gutka and paan masala as “food articles”, consumption of which was injurious to health as they contained tobacco and nicotine.