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SC bans sale of gutka in plastic sachets from March 1
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, December 7
The Supreme Court today observed that there was “so much of corruption” in the country because the government was allowing the corporate sector to mislead the young generation by marketing harmful products such as tobacco related articles in attractive packets.

Slapping a ban on the sale of gutka, tobacco and pan masala in colourful plastic sachets from March 1 next year, the apex court held the state governments responsible for proliferation of shops selling these products in the vicinity of schools and colleges and corrupting the rich Indian culture, particularly among the youth.

“This court should not be seen as a mute spectator to everything that is going on. If the governments fail to discharge their functions, the court must step in,” a Bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly observed during arguments on the health hazards of the sachets which contained 10 thin toxic foils.