Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal announced Wednesday that producers and sellers of gutkha and flavoured betel nut will be brought under the purview of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to curb their sale.

However, Zirwal added that the proposed move will be sent to the Law and Judiciary Department for further vetting.

Zirwal thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for supporting the department’s proposal by announcing that MCOCA action would be implemented. He added that the chief minister’s approval will strengthen the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Department in breaking this criminal network.

In the ongoing Winter Session of the Maharashtra Assembly in Nagpur, Chief Minister Fadnavis said the process is underway to bring in

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