Bangalore : The
Karnataka government banned the
manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of gutka and pan masala
containing tobacco, as ingredients in the interest of public health in
the
State here on Friday. Office of the Food Safety Commissioner stated
that Section 92 of the Centres Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,
prohibits
articles of food containing tobacco and nicotine which are
used as ingredients, as they are injurious to health.“Gutka and panmasala are articles of food in which tobacco and nicotine
are widely used as ingredients. And whereas, it is expedient to prohibit
gutka and panmasala in the entire State of Karnataka,” the order
stated.The ruling Congress faced opposition to the ban from its own
MLAs, mostly from the arecanut-growing areas of the Malnad region, at
the Legislature party meeting convened on Friday.
Chief Minister
Siddaramaiah, however, defended the move saying that arecanut growers
will not be affected. “The Supreme Court has directed all states to ban
gutka. Hence, the government has no choice but to follow the apex court
direction,” he said.“It is not our decision. We are following the
Supreme Courts order. Otherwise we will have to face contempt of court
proceedings,” he added. He said 20 states had already banned gutka. The
government, he said, will protect the interest of arecanut growers.
“There is no ban on areca. Other products of areca that do not contain
tobacco can still be sold,” he said.
Addressing reporters at the
Nimhans convention centre, Health minister
U T Khader said,“The
government is committed to providing sufficient healthcare to the people
of Karnataka. This decision should have been taken two years ago, but
we are glad that it has finally been implemented.” Food Safety
Commissioner V B Patil said, "Many people believe that this decision was
taken in a hurry. But the department and the government have
deliberated over the issue for many days before arriving at this
conclusion.”
Manila:
Scientists have discovered a new ant species from the Philippines and
named it the "pirate ant" because of a distinctive dark stripe across
its eyes that resemble a pirate eye patch.
