Need to enforce Gutkha ban more stringently
| Date :16-Jun-2020 |
By Piyush Shrivsatava :
The sale of tobacco containing paan masala, Gutkha and its consumption is banned in Madhya Pradesh. The stocking, sale and distribution of these tobacco-based products is also been completely banned. In prevailing time lockdown is being induced to cut the spread of pandemic COVID 19 and the chewing of tobacco and Gutkha and spitting in public places is a risk in spreading COVID-19 infection. Jabalpur, being main centre of distribution for whole Mahakoshal region, is also the route for such products along with other commodities.
The checking of transportation of such commodities to detect tax evasion and illegal transportation is continuing, but supply chain cannot be identified. According to the market intelligence report of the Central Goods and Service Tax, these banned goods are being sold and consumed in some places at higher rates, about 4 to 5 times their usual market rates, especially in the lockdown period.
In the ongoing lockdown some unscrupulous manufacturers and dealers have taken undue benefit of this emergent situation. State Commercial Tax Commissioner, Narayan Mishra said that banned commodities get a hidden route and are supplied illegally in any market. Many a time surveys have been conducted by the department by forming joint teams and even huge stocks were unearthed and destroyed. Legal action has also been taken but people too should be aware of demerits of its addiction and avoid to such banned items.