M A I N   N E W S

J&K drug scam: Cong gets into action mode
* PCC chief Soz to submit report
* One arrested; drug suppliers, govt officials booked
Dinesh Manhotra/TNS

Jammu, April 21
After two Congress ministers gave contradictory statements on the alleged involvement of their party colleague in the supply of spurious drugs, the issue, which has kicked up a political storm in the Valley, has reached New Delhi.

Sources said the party high command has asked Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz to look into the matter and submit a report. Intervention of the party high command has been sought to sort out the matter and save the party from further embarrassment.

During raids conducted by teams of Crime Branch at different locations, one Ashok Kumar Raina has been taken into custody for questioning. Some incriminating documents and other material have been recovered. A case against drug suppliers and government officials has been registered. Efforts are on to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the case.

“I am looking into the matter”, Soz told The Tribune when asked about the contradictory statements made by his two party ministers on the involvement of former Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma in the supply of spurious drugs. On his part, Soz has stated that appropriate action would be taken only at an appropriate time.

AICC general secretary in charge, J&K Affairs, Mohan Parkash has put the onus of taking action on the state unit. “Our state unit is competent enough to sort out the issue”, he said hinting that the matter would be resolved soon.

The incumbent Health and Medical Education, Taj Mohiuddin had claimed on Wednesday involvement of their party colleague Sham Lal Sharma, who was earlier holding health portfolio, in the supply of spurious drugs.

However, Minister for State (MoS) for Health Shabir Ahmed Khan had constituted an enquiry committee by his department . The panel had virtually given clean chit to Sham Lal, who, at present, is holding the portfolio of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control.

Instead of raising the issue at party fora, Congress ministers are washing dirty linens in public. Therefore, PCC president brought the matter to the notice of the party high command for further action, sources said. The Congress leadership has taken a serious note of the development and directed Soz to keep a watch on the utterances by party ministers.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the drugs were manufactured in a factory situated outside the state. The factory has reportedly been sealed.

A case has been registered against Proprietors of M/s Life Line Pharmaco Surgicals and members of the purchase Committee-II of Health and Medical Education Department, J&K, Jammu with regard to supply/purchase of spurious drugs.

Contradictory claims