Nagpur: The illegal sale and trafficking of gutkha and other banned tobacco products triggered fierce debate in the Maharashtra Assembly on Day 2 of the Winter Session on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis delivering a blunt admission, the State’s existing laws are far too weak to combat the booming contraband trade.
Fadnavis told the House that the government is actively considering bringing repeat offenders and organised smuggling syndicates under stringent provisions similar to the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), marking what could become the toughest crackdown yet on the gutkha mafia.
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During Zero Hour, MLA Prashant Thakur painted a disturbing picture of the ground reality, revealing that gutkha continues to be sold openly within 100 metres of schools and colleges, directly endangering young students despite legal prohibitions.
“Shops near campuses are operating with shocking impunity. Addictive poison is being sold right in front of minors. The system is failing miserably,” Thakur said, demanding aggressive surveillance teams and harsh prosecution.
MLA Raees Sheikh raised the red flag over Bhiwandi emerging as a major smuggling hub, alleging that truckloads of banned products arrive daily from Gujarat, fuelling a well-structured distribution network.
“Cartels are running operations like a corporate supply chain. If we don’t destroy this network immediately, the consequences will be catastrophic,” he warned, urging the formation of a specialised state task force.
Responding to the heated discussion, CM Fadnavis acknowledged a major flaw: “Those arrested walk out on bail within hours. That’s why this business flourishes despite huge seizures. Without stronger teeth in the law, enforcement is meaningless.”
He confirmed that the State is preparing provisions to treat organised gutkha rackets like organised crime, ensuring real deterrence and long-term imprisonment for the masterminds controlling the trade.
The Chief Minister also assured that the government would examine a multi-agency task force proposal to choke smuggling routes and dismantle the web of distributors.
With MLAs across party lines warning of the grave public-health threat and the growing power of smuggling syndicates, the State is expected to announce tough new enforcement measures soon, signalling a decisive war against Maharashtra’s escalating gutkha menace.
