Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: In exercise of the powers vested upon him under clause (a) of sub-Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner of Food Safety, Jammu and Kashmir ordered ban on manufacture, storage, sale transportation, display or distribution of Gutkha in the State.
As per the notification number HD/Drug/58/2012 issued today the Commissioner of Food has prohibited distribution of Gutkha by whatever name and Pan Masala or Zarda containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients by any name.
Mr Dwivedi said that as Gutkha of any type contains tobacco or nicotine as major ingredient so it is practical to impose ban on its manufacturing, storage, sale, transportation or distribution in the State.
This order was issued immediately after the Budget announcement in this regard where the Finance Department has agreed to impose the ban on such products in the interest of health care of the citizens of J&K.