Noida: Gautam Budh Nagar admin bans paan masala in government offices

Gautam Budh Nagar administration will issue a circular to all government offices banning paan masala in the premises

The district administration of Gautam Budh Nagar on Wednesday decided to issue a circular to all government offices preventing visitors and employees from chewing paan masala or gutkha and using plastic bags in the premises.

Prohibition of paan masala was already in force in the district but after the CM’s directives, fresh circulars will be issued. (Representative Photo)

The move came after chief minister Yogi Adityanath issued directions to all department heads advising them to ensure cleanliness after he found the annexe of the Lucknow secretariat marred by paan stains. According to the chief minister’s office, the decision has been taken to ensure that government offices maintain cleanliness.

Government offices in Gautam Budh Nagar will get the circulars, to be issued by the district magistrate, by Monday. The department heads will be asked that the directives be implemented strictly.

An official said staircase and boundary walls of all government offices are seen stained with paan all the time. Even if the walls are painted over, those chewing paan and gutkha are in the habit of spitting them out on the walls, defacing them again.

The official added that those found in violation of the directions could be fined Rs1,000-Rs 2,000, besides being liable for other legal action.

District magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, NP Singh, said, “Prohibition of paan masala and plastic in government offices was already in force in the district. Now that the chief minister’s office has issued directions, we have to comply with it. New circulars will be issued.”

Singh had also issued an order on Friday that there should be no kiosk or any other shop selling paan masala within a 100-metre radius of hospitals, educational institutions and government offices. He said that the chief medical officer has been directed to ensure enforcement of that order.

“We have fined many people across Noida and Greater Noida for selling gutkha where it was not allowed. Officers in various government departments are working on it. We will step up our efforts to ensure that our offices start looking neater sooner than later,” said Singh.

Meanwhile, the chief executive officers (CEOs) of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna expressway authorities also issued directions on Wednesday that disciplinary action will be taken against employees found chewing paan masala inside the office complexes.