The Ashok Gehlot Government, in Rajasthan, has been trying to defend the move to lift the ban on the sale of Paan, Gutka and tobacco in the state.
Cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, while speaking with India Today, mentioned that a lot of black marketing of these things was happening and livelihoods were also getting affected because of which the ban was lifted.
“See, the paan shops are everywhere, you know. The paan eaters, tobacco and cigarette consumers are there. The problem was that there was huge black marketing and the situation had turned extremely bad. There was pressure from panwallahs as well. They earn every day, and use that money to eat every day. The poor were selling paan, cigarette, bidi, gutkha zarda, to make ends meet.”, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Cabinet Minister, Rajasthan Government, mentioned to India Today.
The BJP, however, has lashed out at the Gehlot Government for allowing the sale of Paan, Gutka and tobacco even as the Corona illness continues.
“This decision of government is not in favour of people of the state because, presently, in the wake of serious illness such as Corona, this decision of government will not prove to be good in the long term”, Madan Dilawar, State Spokesperson, BJP, mentioned.
Sale of paan, gutkha and tobacco, which was earlier prohibited in Rajasthan, has been allowed. However, public consumption of these items continues to be prohibited because of which taking away of these items has been permitted.
The permission was granted by the Home department of the Rajasthan government in an order released on Monday.
Apart from allowing sale of Paan, Gutka and tobacco, the Rajasthan government has also permitted plying of taxis, including Uber and Ola and auto-rickshaws in red zone.
Taxis have been allowed at airports, as permitted by airport authorities. Taxis and auto-rickshaws have been allowed at railway stations/hospitals. Taxis allowed from home excluding containment zone to Airport/railway station/hospitals.
Taxis/auto rickshaws can operate subject to the following conditions :
– For taxis, the number should not be more than driver plus two passengers.
– For autos, the numbers should not be more than driver plus one passenger.
– Drivers are required to wear mask and ensure proper sanitization of the seats and touch points before and after each journey.
– Drivers required to ensure proper social distancing of 6 feet at the point of waiting.
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