Maharashtra goverment mulls invoking MCOCA to curb gutkha trade

The Maharashtra government is considering invoking the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCA to restrict the availability of gutkha which is banned in the state Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal has said reported news agency PTIDespite the existing ban on the manufacture and sale of gutkha illegal consignments of the tobaccolaced product continue to enter the state from outside causing harm to students and youth the FDA minister said on TuesdayZirwal said the state government is mulling using the MCOCA against the owners of gutkha companies key operators and masterminds behind this illegal trade a statement issued by the ministers office saidHe maintained that instances of transportation and sale of gutkha and pan masala continue to be reported in Maharashtra reported PTIA proposal will be sent to the Law and Judiciary Department seeking guidance on whether offences mentioned under the MCOCA can be registered against those responsible for the illegal gutkha trade according to the statement on TuesdayZirwal was speaking at a meeting held in Mantralaya secretariat regarding action against manufacturers and sellers of prohibited food products such as gutkha pan masala scented tobacco areca nut kharra and mawa reported PTIHe asserted the state government will enforce the gutkha ban more strictly and directed officials to undertake awareness campaigns against the cancercausing product at the district level through various departmentsThe MCOCA was amended earlier this year by the state government to bring manufacture sale and trafficking of drugs or chemical substances similar to narcotic offences under the ambit of the Act which has some stringent provisions including strict bail conditions more time to file a chargesheet and the admissibility of police confessions of accused persons in courtDerogatory terms like leper to be dropped from antibegging actMeanwhile the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to delete derogatory expressions such as leper from the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act 1959 reported PTIThe Supreme Court has directed all the states to remove demeaning terminology from their laws rules and regulations and accordingly the Law and Judiciary Department proposed changes to sections 9 and 26 of the Act officials saidThe proposal was approved at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reported PTITerms such as leper leprosy patient leprosarium and similar expressions will now be omitted from the statuteSections 9 and 26 deal with detention and medical examination of beggarsThe 1959 Act criminalises begging and provides for arrest inquiry and rehabilitation of beggarsWith inputs from PTI