Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Protest against ban on smokeless products' that was published in Newsband

Protest against ban on smokeless products

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Maharashtra government had imposed a ban on smokeless products on July 19, 2013. This has provoked the dealers of paan, gutkha and scented supari and hence they closed their stalls and shops in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander for one day. They observed bandh on Thursday to express their resentment over the ban imposed by the state government on smokeless products.

A demonstration was held at Null Bazar by traders who included even those from Navi Mumbai. The traders are making an effort to see to it that the ban doesn’t remain valid for one year and get further extension at the end of the year.

These traders are seeking relaxation in the rules and regulation relating to ban of smokeless products and they have handed to the government a letter of demands in that regards. According to these traders the ban will only render jobless crores of people who are involved in this businesss.

There were many paan shops kept shut in Navi Mumbai to support the opposition to the ban. The traders have even threatened to go on indefinite strike if the government failed to accept their demands.