Asom places Gutka in "negetive" list, considering to ban it

Guwahati, Jul 26 (UNI) Asom has placed Gutkha industry in the ''negative'' list and was considering to ban the tobacco in the state.

The Asom Assembly today expressed serious concern over the Gutkha production and sale in the state and consider the stuff, a major health hazard for people and environment.

This was agreed by Industry minister Pradyut Bordoloi saying the state has two units that employed about 3000 workers and contributed some Rs 400 crore to the state through an escrow account to be ploughed back to the state.

He also informed the house that the government was considering to ban Gutka in the state to protect its citizen from hazardous substance.

The state also urged the Union government not to give any tax exemption to this tobacco product in the new industrial policy to be announced next year.

UNI MT PC RN1722