New Delhi: Lifting the ban on sale of gutka and pan masala in some States, the Supreme Court today (August 2, 2004) said in a judgement that the State Governments do not have power to prohibit manufacture and sale of these items.

The Court said the power to ban manufacturing and sale of these items solely rested with the Centre and the State only has a "transitory" power to ban the products for a short period.

The gutka and pan masala manufacturers had challenged the decision of some State Governments to ban the products before the Supreme Court in 2002.