License of pan shops selling banned gutkha will be cancelled, says Firhad Hakim

The monthly session of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Friday witnessed heated discussions and key announcements on pressing civic issues, ranging from the Kasba firing incident to the ban on pan masala and gutkha.

BJP councilor Sajal Ghosh raised concerns about anti-social activities in parks, linking them to the recent firing incident in Kasba, where a borough chairman was publicly attacked. However, Ghosh's microphone was abruptly switched off mid-statement, causing an uproar in the House.

Following the incident, BJP councilors walked out, alleging that their voices were being suppressed. Outside the session, Ghosh criticized Chairperson Mala Rai and Mayor Firhad Hakim, accusing them of ignoring the safety concerns of councilors. “Parks remain hubs for miscreants at night, yet the corporation does nothing about it,” he stated. Mayor Hakim responded, asserting that councilors should know the appropriate platform for such discussions, and emphasized the importance of attending training sessions.

A significant development during the day was the inauguration of Chaplin Bhawan, located opposite the KMC headquarters. Mayor Firhad Hakim and Chairperson Mala Rai presided over the event. The building, constructed on the site of the historic Chaplin Cinema, will now house the Social Welfare, Road, and Electricity Departments of the KMC.

Hakim shared that the Chaplin Cinema was demolished in 2013 due to its unsafe condition, and construction of the new building began in 2017. With Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s directive, the project gained momentum, culminating in the opening of Chaplin Bhawan, aimed at improving administrative efficiency and public service.

Gutkha Ban Enforcement
Mayor Firhad Hakim also addressed the recent state-wide ban on gutkha and pan masala, which came into effect on November 7, 2024. He announced that any paan shop found selling banned substances would face cancellation of its trade license. While urging public cooperation and vigilance, he noted the practical challenges of enforcement. "We will act upon complaints, but we must balance enforcement with the convenience of paan consumers," he said.