Bangalore : State Minister for Health and Family Welfare UT Khader has said that the government decision to ban Gutka will have no adverse affect on areca growers.
Replying to queries from scribes on the governments decision, he said except for a small piece of areca, the Gutka packet has harmful intoxicants in it. Gutka preparation does not need much areca, he said adding areca growers will know the fact within a year after banning gutka.
Pointing out that Gutka has hit hard the poor and middle class group, with many getting affected by cancer, he said the government had no other option but to ban Gutka which was hazardous to health.
Khader hoped that the decision would get cabinet approval and that the significant decision would be announced in the next budget.
He said 20 states have already banned gutka and added that even the Congress while in opposition had made such a demand.
When drawn attention towards the fact that the government may have to face opposition from areca growers, he said the government cannot backtrack just because areca growers are opposing as it was the question of health of thousands of people.