Vigil on Odisha borders stepped up to prevent gutka smuggling

Srikakulam: To prevent manufacturing, transporting and marketing of banned gutka and khaini products continuous monitoring is required across the border area with Odisha state.

The Andhra Pradesh government  banned gutka and khaini products from January 2013 before bifurcation of the State and later every year AP government is extending the ban period by issuing GOs. Even Odisha State also banned these products.

But  due to lack of proper vigil by the government,  gutka and khaini products are manufactured by traders in Berhampur, Rayaghad and Parlakimidi areas of Odisha State. With the help of mediators,these products are being transported and sold in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram districts.

The traders, transporters store these goods at Itchapuram, Meliaputti, Kanchili, Palasa, Tekkali, Pathapatnam, Parvathipuram and Saluru areas of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.

Every month about Rs 20 crore worth gutka and khaini products are being transported from Odisha to AP through Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts. Vigilance officials  maintain strict vigil on these products and booked 13 cases against manufacturers and traders in the two districts. Srikakulam region vigilance office has jurisdiction on two states.

Criminal cases also registered against 41 accused persons in thisregard at Srikakulam One-Town, Amudalavalasa, Ponduru, Rajam, Pathapatnam, Etcherla, Palakonda, Veeragattam, Parvathipuram and Pusapatirega in the two districts.

“With an aim to prevent  transportation of the banned products, we have initiated tough action against these banned products manufacturing, selling, transportation and consumption” regional vigilance officer (RVO) T Harikrishna told this news paper. We have arrested 41 persons, seven vehicles were seized, he added.