Pan masala, tobacco banned in UP assembly with immediate impact; violators to be fined Rs 1,000 | Lucknow News

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker, Satish Mahana, has imposed an immediate ban on the consumption of pan-masala and gutka inside Vidhan Sabha premises after a legislator was caught spitting gutka.

NEW DELHI: A day after a legislator was caught spitting ‘gutka’ (paan masala) contained in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Speaker Satish Mahana on Wednesday introduced an immediate ban on the consumption of pan-masala and gutka on Vidhan Sabha premises.
Any particular person discovered violating the rule will face a advantageous of Rs 1,000, alongside with additional motion as per Assembly laws.

The resolution follows an incident on Tuesday when a legislator was discovered spitting ‘gutka’ on the carpet on the entrance of the principle corridor of the Vidhan Sabha. The act drew sharp criticism, overshadowing the day’s proceedings. Speaker Mahana, upon being knowledgeable concerning the stain, personally visited the spot and directed sanitation workers to clear it. A video of him supervising the cleansing, alongside minister of state for employment and Labour Mannu Kori and MLAs Ajay Singh (Karnailganj) and Dhirendra Singh (Jewar), surfaced and went viral.
Expressing his frustration, Mahana was heard questioning, “Why should everyone face humiliation because of one legislator’s deed? Will the staff keep cleaning spitting stains in the Assembly?” He then instructed officers to determine the legislator accountable and guarantee he pays for changing the carpet.
Later, addressing the House, Mahana reiterated his dismay over the incident. “This morning, I was informed that an honourable legislator spat ‘paan masala’ in the legislative assembly hall. I reached the spot and got the stains cleaned. I have seen the legislator in the video, but I do not want to humiliate anyone by taking his name,” he mentioned.
Calling for self-discipline amongst legislators, he urged members to intervene in the event that they ever witness such acts. “This is not just my Vidhan Sabha; it belongs to all 403 members and 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh. Keeping it clean is our collective responsibility,” he asserted.
Mahana additionally gave the unnamed legislator an opportunity to come ahead voluntarily, warning that if he didn’t, he would be referred to as out. “If the said member comes to me and confesses, it would be good. Otherwise, I would have to call him,” he added.