Instead of FIR, VO directs for RDA
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Jan 16: After the Vigilance Organization (VO) came to the rescue of the seven top ranking officers of the Indian System of Medicines in spurious drug scam by not initiating criminal proceedings against them, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) and General Administration Departments are now shielding them by ordering inquiry against Regular Departmental Action (RDA) as suggested by the VO.
Six medicines – Kaishore Gugglu, Prostate Fort, Syp. Systonex, Jaytyadi Taila, Raj Parvartanivati and Syp. Tens off- supplied by the Indian System of Medicines (ISM) to its stores, dispensaries and hospitals in Jammu region in 2016 and even consumed by the patients, were found sub-standard and containing fungal matter and other pathogens.
After the case was handed over to the Vigilance Organization, it instead of initiating criminal proceedings, asked Vide (No. VO-JMU-JSC-07/2016-12444-45 dated 27-07-2017) the Government to take the RDA against the accused.
“…the matter is being brought to your goodself for initiating Regular Department Action against Abdul Kabir Dar, the then Director General ISM, Rakesh Kumar Shan, Chairman of Verification Board/Medicine Inspection Committee, Dr. Anil Kant Gupta, ADMO Udhampur, Member of Verification Board/Medicine Inspection Committee, Dr. Rohit Gupta, Nodal Officer, District Samba, Member of Verification Board/Medicine Inspection Committee, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Raina, Drug Inspectior ISM, Dr. Shujaat Hussain Shuja, Drug Inspector ISM, for above said lapses”, read VO letter addressed to Commissioner/Secretary GAD.
The GAD and Health and Medical Education Department instead of taking the RDA, have ordered inquiry that too after the lapse of 17 months. The GAD ordered inquiry against Abdul Kabir Dar and the Health Department (Govt order No. 627-HME of 2018 dated 19-11-2018) appointed Inquiry officer against rest of the six accused officers of the ISM.
However, the Vigilance Commission was not even satisfied with the VO and said that the act of the officials warranted criminal proceedings. “The Commission found that Joint Surprise Check had established criminal mis-conduct on the part of Dr. Rohit Gupta, who was a member of Inspection Committee as Rs. 95000/- had been transferred from the account of M/S Drugs Pharma to his bank account. The commission was of the view that the decision of the Vigilance Organization in recommending the RDA was inappropriate and instead criminal proceedings were warranted in the matter”, read the letter (No. SVC/JSC/34/2018 Dated 22-01-2018) addressed by the Vigilance Commission to the Chief Secretary.
The Commission has asked the Chief Secretary for appropriate action against the officials on the basis of its observations. “Since the Vigilance Organization had already referred the matter to the Government for RDA, I am directed to convey the observations of the Commission for appropriate consideration”, read the letter.
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