Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government on Monday
said stocks of 'My Teacher' gutkha would be seized within
eight days, taking cognisance of complaints received by
teachers for naming the tobacco brand after them.
"We will seize pouches of 'My Teacher' gutkha and
remove ads of this brand within eight days," Minister of State
for Home Satej Patil informed the Legislative Council.
He expressed helplessness in banning the product since
it is manufactured in neighbouring Gujarat.
The Maharashtra Government has written a letter to
Health, Food and Drugs Administration Departments of Gujarat
to ban the gutkha, Patil said.
The Government has banned sale of tobacco products
with 100 metre area of schools and colleges, he said.
The Minister was replying to a query by Kapil Patil
about action against 'My Teacher' gutkha.
Leader of Opposition Pandurang Phundkar claimed that
gutkha worth about Rs 10 crore is being sold everyday in the
state.
"Gutkha is being imported from other states also and
despite the Supreme Court's directives, the Government is not
taking any action in this regard," Phundkar said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, March 21, 2011, 23:55