Banaskantha Village Bans Gutkha, Liquor and Small Chips Packets

BANASKANTHA :In a striking display of village unity, residents of Badargarh village in Palanpur taluka of Banaskantha district have taken an uncompromising stand against addiction, plastic waste and unhealthy packaged snacks, unanimously resolving to ban their sale from September 1, 2026.

The decision, passed during a special Gram Sabha chaired by the Sarpanch, prohibits shops from selling gutkha, liquor and Rs 5 and Rs 10 packets of chips and wafers. Villagers said the move was aimed at protecting children and youth from addiction while making the village cleaner and reducing plastic waste.

The resolution was adopted after discussions involving villagers and received support from small and large traders and shopkeepers.

Residents expressed concern that discarded plastic wrappers from small snack packets were contributing to pollution, while easy availability of gutkha and liquor was exposing youngsters to addiction.

The Gram Sabha has also approved strict penalties to ensure the resolution is not reduced to paper.

From September 1, any trader found selling banned gutkha packets or liquor will face a Rs 1,000 fine. Villagers have further decided to take stringent action against repeat or deliberate violators, including disconnection of their water and electricity connections.

The collective decision reflects growing concern in rural Gujarat over substance abuse, plastic pollution and unhealthy consumption among children and adolescents.

“We have taken this decision in the larger interest of the village and the future of our children. Everyone has supported the resolution,” villagers said.

The move comes shortly after a similar initiative in a village in Mehsana district, where the sale of Rs 5 and Rs 10 chips and wafer packets was stopped on August 15.

With Badargarh following suit, the village has emerged as another example of grassroots action against products considered harmful to health and the environment.

The villagers’ decision is now likely to attract attention from other Gram Panchayats looking for community-led ways to curb addiction and plastic waste.