FDA Officials Seize Tobacco Products Worth 300,000 in Nagpur, Maharashtra

At the break of Nagpur's announcement on the renewal of ban on gutka, kharra and paan masala, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials seized items worth over 300,000. Under guidance of FDA Commissioner //Harshdeep Kamble , the raids began simultaneously by 70 officials divided in 52 groups at various places in the city. The raids are first step towards what is being termed as a 'kharra free Maharashtra' as the state government once again banned the sale and manufacture of gutka, kharra, pan masala, scented tobacco from July 17, 2015.

Joint commissioner FDA (Food) Shivaji Desai said that Kamble had given instructions to guide his officials and form teams for the action. The raids were conducted simultaneously at Medical Square, Sakkardara square, ST bus stand, Baidyanath square, Mominpura, Jaripatka, Santra market, Kachipura, Ramdaspeth, Telephone exchange square, among other places, on 215 pan stalls.

Action was taken against 144 stalls and items worth Rs 1,56,626 were seized from them. Raid was also conducted in Kamgar Nagar where kharra is made locally. Brands like Nagpuri kharra, Golden Yug, Rajnigandha, Janam, Baba Black worth Rs 1,44,67 were seized. Checks were conducted at entry points on Chhindwara road and 73 vehicles were checked.

Supporting staff was called from all over the state since it was a big operation. Such raids will be conducted in other cities too.

Source-Medindia