The deep-rooted Gutka mafia in Delhi and its neighbouring areas has defied the Government ban on sale of the gutka in the national Capital. Despite more than six months of ban, the tobacco products are being sold rampantly in the city allegedly under the patronage of the Delhi Police. Vendors selling the banned tobacco products in the city said various brands of gutka are being procured from neighbouring cities. A pouch of `2 is being sold at `five.
Vendors across the city particularly near bus stands and railway stations are selling gutka openly. They possess significant quantity of those articles. The Delhi Government has announced ban on products posing a very serious health hazard in September in 2012 but in the absence of any mechanism of implementing it properly no initiative has been taken so far.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday also directed health secretaries of the States and Union Territories (UTs) to file compliance report on implementation of ban on sale and manufacture of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco. As these articles are banned, the vendors are taking advantage of the habit of the consumers; and they are selling them at almost double rate than the normal.
Justifying the increase in price for gutka and tobacco products, Bhairon, a hawker of Central Delhi said, “There is still high demand for them. So we are still selling them. We are compelled to sell those articles at increased rate because we have to pay bribe to the police and we purchase it at increased rate. Or sometimes, we go to neighbouring Ghaziabad and Noida to make adequate stock. As we have to spend on travelling, obviously we add those expenses too.”
Vendor at New Delhi Railway Station said, “Though they have to pay certain amount to police for allowing such products, sometimes they face police's action and then they have to pay more.” He added that if the Government sincerely wants to ban the products and concerned about the health of common man then, all gutka manufacturing units must be shut first.
“It is a common misconception among the public that gutka and pan masala consumption only cause cancer. There are a host of other very serious diseases that can occur due to addiction to such toxic substances as it contains magnesium and calcium carbonate. High amounts of magnesium carbonate in the human body can cause respiratory and cardiac depression, while calcium carbonate or lime damages the mucosa, causing chronic mucosal injuries and ulcers in the mouth. Apart from this, gutka can also cause hypertension and cause reproductive health dysfunction,” Virendra Pratap, a physician practicing at lajpat Nagar
On his part, Delhi Health Minister Ashok Walia said the Government is very much active to ensure the ban. Teams set up for its enforcement frequently raided hawkers and pan shops. Actions were taken against the shops found violating the order. “We conduct raids and also lift samples. If the presence of tobacco is found then a case is registered. We are concern about the health of public at large,” he said.