In a major crackdown on the illegal gutkha trade, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced during the state legislature session that the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) will now be applied to gutkha manufacturers and sellers. The move is expected to significantly strengthen enforcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal said, expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister for approving the proposal.

Large quantities of gutkha and flavoured supari are being smuggled into Maharashtra from neighbouring states. Despite frequent seizures and criminal action by the FDA, illegal distribution continues through organised networks. To break this chain, the FDA had initiated the process of seeking permission to apply MCOCA

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