In spite of the State Government’s announcement that tobacco trade is illegal, tobaccos are openly sold in large quantities in the capital city. And, surprisingly, the trade is being carried out in the knowledge of the State Government and the administration, alleged Bikash Youth and Students’ Organisation president Subhendu Mohanty here on Friday.
Mohanty told a Press meet that though tobacco sale has been declared illegal in the State for the last two years, many people are still into the business and selling tobaccos, not even sparing places near schools, colleges and Government offices. He said the Gutkha business is being transacted in the names of 10 to 12 firms in the State. “The narcotic products are being manufactured at nearby places of Bhubaneswar and smuggled outside the State. As a result, the State Government is incurring a monthly loss of Rs12 crore and losing trade tax of Rs1.25 crore per day,” Mohanty said. He threatened that his organisation would launch an intense agitation if tobacco sale is not completely banned in the city within seven days.