CHANDIGARH:  In one of the biggest seizure of intoxicating drugs in the state, the Punjab health department today seized  habit forming scheduled drugs worth Rs.3O Lakhs from the shop  and godowns of Pawan Medicos of Pindi street Ludhiana. 

During a raid conducted by a team headed by  Bhag Singh State Drug Controller Punjab along with 9 drug inspectors of different districts other than Ludhiana, the state was able to nab one of the biggest supplier of drugs in the state. It may be added that  with this major haul, habit forming drugs worth Rs. 2 crore 50 lakhs have been seized during various raids conducted by the Health Department Punjab  all over the state during last 6 months.

Disclosing this here Friday  Prof.Lakshmi Kanta Chawla Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab said that during a recent raid on the premises of Pawan Medicos two unlicensed godowns and one shop had already been sealed and two different cases under section 18C of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act have been registered against the shop owner besides a departmental action has also be initiated against him amounting to even the cancellation of his license. She further said that the drugs seized were being sold at the prescription of the RMP and were used as intoxicants.

The minister said that a special team has been constituted to explore the inter-state network of this firm and determine the source of these drugs so that this evil could be nipped in the bud. She said that the department has established a network in the state to gather information about such nefarious activities of the chemists and the system of exchanging information with police department has also been established.

Seeking the cooperation of the public to tackle this menace, the Minister sought information from the general public .She said that the persons supplying information to the government would be suitably rewarded. Praising the officers' instrumental in nabbing the culprits, she said that the department would acknowledge their contribution and same would be recorded in their service record books. She has urged them to be more courageous and work with full dedication