The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the continuing sale of tobacco-laced gutka and pan masala, despite a central ban. The court asked the principal health secretaries of 23 states and five Union territories, that have framed rules to enforce the ban of gutka and tobacco-based pan masala and plastic bags less than 40 microns thick, to file compliance reports within four weeks.
The Municipal Commissioners of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, the three wings of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Civic Chiefs of Bangalore, Chennai, Jaipur and Faridabad shall also file their respective affidavits on the disposal of plastic material. The court, however, did not make any observation on a plea for a total smoking ban.
The court fixed May the 3rd, as the next date for hearing.