The Gujarat government has decided to impose a comprehensive ban on sale, stocking, production and distribution of gutkha from September 11.
An announcement in this regard was made by Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday at Junagadh, where the state level function for the 66th Independence Day was held.
"The youth of the state need to be saved from the dreaded evil of cancer and because of this a decision to impose a complete ban on gutkha has been taken," Modi said in his last Independence Day speech before the assembly polls later this year.
Gutka will be completely banned from September 11 in Gujarat, he said advising people not to stock or buy gutkha. The chief minister was of the opinion that practice of chewing gutka by youngsters cannot be encouraged. If calculated in monetary terms, gutkha consumption was more expensive than eating almonds, he claimed.
Maharashtra government had recently imposed a comprehensive ban on gutkha and pan masala.
The item is also banned in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, while Rajasthan government had last month announced its decision to ban the product.
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The date from which the ban would come into force, September 11, has been strategically planned to ensure disposal of the existing stock in circulation. Also, the date coincides with Swami Vivekanand's speech at World Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893. The state government is celebrating 2012 as sesquicentennial anniversary (150 years) of Vivekananda and has planned year-long events in this regard.
On the occasion of Independence Day, Modi also announced number of new schemes and decisions of the government which include increase in month pension of freedom fighters.
The pension amount has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 6,000 per month.
He also announced number of scheme for those belonging to the below poverty line category.