SHILLONG, May 2: Despite the prohibition from the Deputy Commissioner of Foods Safety, State Food Safety and Standards Authority, Shillong in 2014 to manufacture, storage, transport, sale or distribution of Guthka and Pan Masala containing tobacco and nicotine as ingredients in Meghalaya, however even today it has not hindered the sale of the items in the city.
It may be mentioned that the storage and sale of Guthka and Pan Masala has been prohibited under sub section (2) of section 30 of the Food Safety And Standards Act, 2006 for a period of one year in the interest of the public health.
Speaking to The Sentinel Deputy Commissioner of Foods Safety SN Sangma, said, “The selling of Guthka and Pan Masala is a serious matter and we are planning to extend the ban by another year once the notification comes and we will be sending our enforcement agencies to check that no one is selling the prohibited products.”
He informed that that the matter will also be taken up with the Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills district PS Dkhar.
“We will also request the DC to depute some officers and enforcement personnel whenever we decided to go for a surprise checking in order to stop the selling for such items,” he said.
Asked on the delay in conducting such checking drive, he said, “We have been occupied with the recent issues like the PHE water besides other issues.”
He said that if people are found selling the items in spite of the prohibition then serious action will be taken against them.
“We will try to get everything done by this month in order to chalk out an action plan to completely eradicate Guthka and Pan Masala containing tobacco and nicotine from the state,” he said.
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