Food Safety Department officials conducted surprise inspections at various locations in Coimbatore on May 11, under directives from the district administration and police supervision, to crack down on illegal sale of banned tobacco products.
Coimbatore: In a major operation led by the Health Secretary of Tamil Nadu and the Commissioner of Food Safety, 23 special teams, formed by the Tamil Nadu government, launched surprise raids across Coimbatore city and its suburbs today. These teams, operating under the guidance and supervision of Coimbatore City Police Commissioner and the District Police SP, targeted shops suspected of selling banned tobacco products like pan masala and gutkha.
The teams executed inspections in several areas including Peelamedu, Ganapathy, Pothanur, Town Hall, R.S. Puram, Saravanampatti, Saibaba Colony, Singanallur, Kalapatti, Avinashi Road, Gandhipuram, Vadavalli, Race Course, Ramanathapuram, and other peri-urban areas like Mettupalayam, Pollachi, Sulur, Kinathukadavu, Madukkarai, Thondamuthur, Annur, S.S. Kulam, Periyanayakanpalayam, Karamadai, Anaikatti, and Valparai.
During the day-long operation, the teams inspected 5,568 shops resulting in the seizure of approximately 3,098.38 kilograms of banned substances, including pan masala and gutkha. The total market value of the seized goods is estimated around INR 3,063,804. Additionally, fines totaling INR 17,075,000 were imposed on 683 shops for first-time offenses, with each fined INR 25,000 and a 15-day suspension of business operations. Moreover, second-time offenders, involving 8 shops, were fined INR 4,000,000 in total, each facing INR 50,000 penalties and a 30-day business suspension.
Authorities have urged the public to report any illegal activities involving banned tobacco products by contacting the Food Safety Department at 94440-42322 via WhatsApp. All informants' details will be kept confidential.
The teams executed inspections in several areas including Peelamedu, Ganapathy, Pothanur, Town Hall, R.S. Puram, Saravanampatti, Saibaba Colony, Singanallur, Kalapatti, Avinashi Road, Gandhipuram, Vadavalli, Race Course, Ramanathapuram, and other peri-urban areas like Mettupalayam, Pollachi, Sulur, Kinathukadavu, Madukkarai, Thondamuthur, Annur, S.S. Kulam, Periyanayakanpalayam, Karamadai, Anaikatti, and Valparai.
During the day-long operation, the teams inspected 5,568 shops resulting in the seizure of approximately 3,098.38 kilograms of banned substances, including pan masala and gutkha. The total market value of the seized goods is estimated around INR 3,063,804. Additionally, fines totaling INR 17,075,000 were imposed on 683 shops for first-time offenses, with each fined INR 25,000 and a 15-day suspension of business operations. Moreover, second-time offenders, involving 8 shops, were fined INR 4,000,000 in total, each facing INR 50,000 penalties and a 30-day business suspension.
Authorities have urged the public to report any illegal activities involving banned tobacco products by contacting the Food Safety Department at 94440-42322 via WhatsApp. All informants' details will be kept confidential.