Jaipur, Dec 5 (NationPress) In a recent deliberation on the National Security and Public Health Cess Bill in the Lok Sabha, Hanuman Beniwal, the National President of the National Democratic Party and MP from Nagaur, emphasized the urgent need to address the role of celebrities endorsing pan masala products, particularly in light of their severe health implications.

Prominent film stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Salman Khan have been publicly associated with the promotion of pan masala and gutkha. Beniwal asserted, “If these actors have received National Awards, those honors should be revoked, as no award recipient should advocate for products harmful to public health.”

He pointed out that there are ongoing cases regarding misleading advertisements by these celebrities, currently pending before both the Rajasthan State Consumer Commission and consumer courts in Jaipur and Jodhpur.

According to MP Beniwal, the purpose of this bill is twofold: to safeguard national security and public health while also generating necessary funding. The conversation should also emphasize the public health crisis arising from the consumption of gutkha and pan masala, which leads to critical health issues, including cancer, affecting millions across the nation.

Despite existing legislation like COTPA, the consumption of these products remains rampant in public places such as schools, colleges, and government facilities—evident from the noticeable stains on public infrastructures.

Beniwal accused certain officials of allowing illegal gutkha and pan masala factories to operate in Rajasthan and other states, with blatant disregard for compliance standards. He proposed that the penalties outlined in the bill need to be strengthened significantly.

Describing gutkha as a key contributor to the escalating cancer rates in the country, he called for a robust nationwide monitoring and enforcement framework.

In relation to environmental issues, MP Beniwal raised concerns about the Aravalli mountain range, urging the central government to take immediate action to protect this ancient geological formation. He highlighted the rapid encroachment, unregulated urbanization, illegal mining, and environmental violations threatening the ecological balance from Delhi-NCR to various districts in Rajasthan.

He revealed that over the past five years, more than 27,000 cases of illegal mining, transportation, and storage have been documented in the Aravalli region, yet FIRs have only been filed for a mere 13% of these violations.

Although fines totaling Rs 244 crore have been collected, he questioned if this amount is adequate for the long-term safeguarding of this fragile ecosystem.

Beniwal noted that despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) declaring mining in the Aravalli region a serious environmental offense and issuing strict directives, government actions have been insufficient.

He strongly urged the Central government to devise a national policy dedicated to the conservation of the Aravalli range, instructing both the Rajasthan and Haryana governments to implement immediate and effective measures.