Mumbai, June 17: Maharashtra government today announced its decision to ban consumption and possession of gutka with effect from July one. The decision to ban chewing and possessing gutka comes a year after the ban on storage, manufacture and distribution of the tobacco product. Speaking to reporters, food and drug minister, Anil Deshmukh said those found guilty would attract minimum imprisonment of six months and maximum imprisonment of three years and a fine of Rs 1000, he said. The provision for banning chewing and possession of gutka would be incorporated in the Food and Adulteration Act of 1954, Section 7 (4) and Section 109 of IPC. The government had also collected samples of certain supari brands which had been regularly advertised to check out for the presence of gutka. Bureau Report