The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) on Monday alleged that syndicates and monopolies are exploiting confusion over the state government’s recent notification on tobacco-containing food products to create artificial shortages and inflate prices of pan masala in Nagaland.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Saramati, CNCCI chairman Dr Khekugha Muru claimed that the notification had been widely misinterpreted as a blanket ban on pan masala, leading to panic among traders and consumers.
“It is embarrassing that people in Nagaland have to stand in long queues, sometimes regulated by bouncers or even police personnel, simply to purchase pan masala,” he said.
Muru alleged that a handful of distributors control dealerships for major brands and were taking advantage of the situation by restricting supply and maintaining exclusive arrangements with manufacturers.
According to him, the shortages stem from confusion over what exactly is covered by the government’s notification.
Explaining the legal framework, Muru said the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), administered by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) are separate laws governing different categories of products.
He said the notification prohibits “food products containing tobacco and nicotine”, but many people interpreted it as a blanket ban on all pan masala products.
Muru maintained that pan masala is regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act and licensed by the FSSAI. Referring to Supreme Court directions issued in 2016, he said manufacturers subsequently discontinued tobacco-containing gutka and shifted to producing tobacco-free and nicotine-free pan masala products.
He claimed that brands commonly sold in Nagaland, including Signature, Rajnigandha and Shikhar, do not contain tobacco or nicotine and possess valid FSSAI licences.
“The present notification bans only food products containing tobacco or nicotine, not pan masala as a product category,” he said.
Muru further maintained that tobacco products in their pure form remain legal for sale under existing regulations. He said vendors possessing licences issued by urban local bodies and complying with provisions of COTPA, including restrictions on sales near educational institutions and to minors, are legally permitted to sell tobacco products.
“There is no blanket ban on tobacco products. Therefore, there is no question of seeking extensions or grace periods for traders,” he said.
Appealing to civil society organisations, student bodies and NGOs not to take enforcement into their own hands, Muru urged them to report suspected violations to the appropriate authorities rather than confiscating or destroying goods.
He also expressed concern that uncertainty over the notification had led to inspections by multiple government departments, resulting in harassment of traders.
CNCCI treasurer Kevin Yepthomi said clearer guidelines from the government could have prevented much of the confusion. He added that fake notifications circulating on social media platforms, including WhatsApp, had further fuelled panic among traders and consumers.
Responding to reports that some syndicates operate with the backing of underground groups, Muru said syndicates and monopolies are illegal and that the chamber would pursue all available legal avenues to challenge such practices. (With inputs from EM)