The Uttarakhand government has decided to ban the sale of gutkha in the hill state.
“We are seeking an approval of the state Cabinet to ban the sale of gutkha in the state,” said Ranbir Singh, principal secretary, health.
On Tuesday, the government issued a notification banning the sale of gutkha but hours later it was withdrawn as differences cropped up between Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi and Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna over the issue.
Top government sources admitted that that there was a faux pas on the issuance of the notification and said even Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain was not consulted on the issue. When contacted Negi said though there was a consensus on the issue to ban the sale of gutkha but such decision has to come from the state cabinet only.
“There are no differences on the issue but only state Cabinet is authorised to take such decision,” said Negi.
Uttarakhand is seeking to ban the sale of gutkha on the lines of other states which have already done so.