The Hindu : National : Gutka ban gives perfume makers a bad time

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 06, 2005

National

National

Gutka ban gives perfume makers a bad time

The ban has caused a loss of 80 per cent to the business, says Birendra, president Itra Udyog

KANNAUJ: Perfume manufacturing industry in Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh is having a difficult time due to the ban on gutka by several states by Government.

The banning of tobacco has highly affected the sale of perfumes or `itra', which was earlier used in the manufacturing of tobacco.

Traders say that the once-famous flower-based perfume industry has lost its main market after some State governments banned selling `Gutka', a chewable tobacco.

``Maharashtra is known for its enormous consumption of tobacco. However, the banning of `Gutka' has highly affected Kannauj. According to me, this ban has caused a loss of 80 per cent of business, leaving only 20 per cent of it,'' said Birendra, President Itra Udyog or Scent Industry.

No means of livelihood

Shutting down of tobacco industry has taken away the source of livelihood of many people. This downfall is forcing people to leave Kannauj in search of jobs, which would eventually affect its population. It is believed that half of its total population will be left jobless in future.

"Since the gutka has been banned, our farming for such crops has been wasted. Due to its ban, the price of such flowers has come down and there is no buyer in the market which has led in the starvation of our family,'' said Lala Ram, perfume flower grower.

Pushp Raj Jain, perfume trader says that the government who promises to give employment to at least one person everyday, has made scores of people unemployed and in turn they demand it to rethink about its decision taken.

Sandal business hit

"I think if the government will not take this issue seriously then I am sure that in the coming future sandal business would completely fall down and the name of Kannauj will only be left out. The government should allow some gutka manufacturer owners and make sure that they manufacture pure tobacco,'' said Pushp Raj Jain.

The ban has left many workers associated with Gutka industry with hardly any hope for future.

``The shutting of tobacco business has left us with a very small amount of work leading our family to starve. We want some assistance for the Government,'' said Ram Lal, a worker.

The people of Kannauj say that the government should be more considerate towards this industry. They also keep their fingers crossed to get ample co-operation and support from the government.

The perfumers of Kannauj say that almost 70 per cent of the production is consumed by the gutka industry, while about 30 per cent is used by the cosmetic industry.

Export earnings

Kannauj's perfume industry is the largest perfumery of the country: a fact that not many are aware of. The modest-looking town generates a turnover of Rs 800 million annually; a major chunk of which is through exports.

And perfume making is almost a cottage industry, with every second house fashioning some form of aromatic material or other.

The entire town seems to be involved in the trade -- directly or indirectly. Over 100,000 people are employed in the perfume industry. -- ANI

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