Strict Action Will Be Taken Against Those Selling Banned Drugs: Arti Singh Rao
8 Teams Formed for Inspection, 16 Shops Sealed for Violations
Chandigarh, November 4 Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has said that strict action will be taken against those involved in the illegal sale of narcotic and banned drugs. She emphasized that any chemist or medical store owner found selling prohibited or psychotropic substances will not be spared under any circumstances. The minister has directed officials to carry out inspections.
Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Administration, Haryana, Sh. Manoj Kumar, has initiated further action on the minister’s directions. He informed that a large-scale raid was conducted in Sirsa district to curb the illegal sale of narcotic drugs. The operation involved 35 Senior Drugs Control Officers (SDCOs) and Drugs Control Officers (DCOs) from various zones and districts.
To ensure the effectiveness of the operation, 8 special teams were formed and assigned to conduct surprise inspections at chemist shops suspected of misusing psychotropic or dual-use medicines.
The raid was directly supervised by State Drugs Controller Lalit Kumar Goyal, accompanied by Assistant State Drugs Controllers Parvinder Singh, Karan Singh Godara, and Rakesh Dahiya from the FDA headquarters.
The operation was simultaneously carried out in several areas of Sirsa district, including Kalanwali, Badagudha, Dabwali, Rania, Ellenabad, and Sirsa city. The inspections began at 11:30 a.m. and continued until 6:00 p.m.
During the campaign, 67 medical stores were inspected, and 16 shops were sealed for failing to present required records and other violations. Fifteen samples were also collected during the drive. Show-cause notices will be issued to all erring shops, and further action will be taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Health Minister Arti Singh Rao reaffirmed that the state government is committed to making Haryana drug-free and that such drives will continue. She made it clear that the illegal trade of narcotic substances will not be tolerated under any circumstances.