PUNE: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials have seized gutka worth Rs 1.16 crore in Pune district during 2013. The officials also filed 94 criminal cases in courts for violation of various norms of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
The ban on gutka came into force from July 2012. Since then, the FDA officials have seized gutka worth Rs 2.67 crore in Pune district. "We have confiscated gutka worth over Rs 1.16 crore from the Pune city, Pimpri Chinchwad and rural parts of Pune between January 1 and December 31. The maximum amount was confiscated from Pune city. We have started analyzing the area-wise distribution of gutka seized. We would soon come up with a detailed report," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune. The modus operandi used in selling gutka surreptitiously kept changing over the period. "We have to constantly keep the index of suspicion sharp to foil the bid and nab the offenders," Kakare added.
The officials have lodged 103 FIR at different police stations in Pune district against erring individuals during this period.
"One of the ingenious methods of selling gutka, that emerged following the ban in 2013, was 'supari mix'. The main ingredients in gutka are supari (betelnut) and 'jarda' (flavoured tobacco). These are being sold in separate pouches as 'supari mix', which, when mixed together becomes gutka," Dilip Sangat, assistant commissioner (food), FDA, Pune.
The Maharashtra government had extended the ban on the sale of gutka and paan masala by another year on July 20, 2013. The ban is not just limited to gutka and paan masala, but now also covers scented areca nuts, scented tobacco and all other contents that, if put together, make gutka or paan masala. The FDA officials have also asked civic officials to be vigilant and inspect vehicles for inter-state trafficking of gutka and paan masala.
No comments:
Post a Comment