“Pan Masala, Gutka To Be Banned In Karnataka If Found Intoxicating Substances Blended In Them,” Says CM
BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday assured that he will ban the sale of all types of pan masala, gutka and chewing tobacco products if reports of intoxicants being mixed into pan masala, gutka, areca nut and other products designed and sold to give a “drug-like high” to users are found true. He, however, stated that he had specific knowledge about intoxicants mixed into pan masala, gutka, areca nut and other similar products.
Pointing to the Union Government for action needed at the border level to combat the drug menace, Shivakumar said, “As long as the country’s borders remain open, whatever you do locally, the idea of a drug-free Bharat is impossible without impenetrable border security.”
Speaking at the 31st meetingst On the foundation day of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and the opening day of the ‘Drug Free India Convocation’ held at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, the Prime Minister used the “tap and chase” analogy to underline that state-level sanctions alone are not enough to stop the drug menace, saying: “The drug menace in the country is like a tap and a bucket. If the borders are open like a tap and whatever you do locally, the bucket gets filled regularly.”
He said that Karnataka has set up a special Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) by 2025 to hunt down smuggling networks and such efforts cannot succeed if the borders are compromised.
“Building a drug-free Karnataka is our goal. We are organizing programs in this regard,” he said and stated “Preventing drug-menace is a major challenge and let us all unite to ensure that the younger generation does not fall into the trap of drug addiction.”
The Prime Minister wanted young people to “master the initial power of refusal when faced with peer pressure (excessive drug use)” and asked them to “decide their answers before the moment comes”.
He warned students/young people, “Drug use will take you to hell disguised as heaven. Be careful of momentary joys.”
