Medical ethics

Apropos the news item "Registrar: PMC can't act against accused doctors" and "Medical body objects to PMC Registrar's statement" (November 11), the view expressed by Dr OPS Kande, chairman of the legal cell panel of the Punjab Medical Council, and Dr RK Sharma, president of the IMA, Ludhiana, about the jurisdiction of the PMC vis-à-vis BAMS doctors registered with the Board of Ayurvedic System of Medicine is wrong. BAMS doctors registered in a medical register of a state are authorised to practise allopathic medicine within the meaning of "Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940 & Rules 1945-Rule 2 clause (ee) sub clause(iii) read with "The Punjab Ayurvedic & Unani Practitioners Act-1963" and the Indian Medicine Central Council Act-1970". BAMS doctors are not violating any provision of the Punjab Medical Registration Act 1916 and MCI Act, 1956. Dr GS Grewal, president, PMC, while supporting the IMA stand, has admitted that surgeons were paying 40% to quacks while urologists and neurosurgeons were paying them up to 50%. But what steps has he taken to control this unethical practice prevailing in the medical profession? With the objective of affordable healthcare facilities to people, the IMA, NIMA, PMC and ayurvedic board should target the quacks practising in Punjab and control the menace of cuts and commissions offered by various specialist doctors.

Dr SS Romana, Bathinda

Uniform scam

Is there any law to check the fleecing of parents purchasing school uniforms for their wards? Why are they available at some select shops only? These shops sell uniforms at exorbitant prices. A nexus of traders and schools cannot be ruled out. The authorities need to act in the interest of the parents. The prices of schools uniforms should be fixed by the administration.

Parveen Malik, Chandigarh

Diesel dearer

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is known for his pro-farmer policies regarding seeds, diesel, remunerative price, free power etc. International crude oil prices remained up to $ 110 during the UPA II government headed by former PM Manmohan Singh. The central government increased the price of diesel per month to offset the subsidy bill. This was a measure of reform in the oil sector. Since it had a bearing on the Punjab farmers, Badal opposed the diesel price increase, slamming the policy as anti-farmer. Since the BJP came to power at the Centre, the international prices of crude have come down to $80 and the government has deregulated the diesel price control mechanism. Consequently, lower diesel prices have benefited all, including farmers. But, the SAD-BJP did a U turn and increased VAT, first on October 2, from 8.75% to 9.75 % and after the latest revision, it stands at 12.3 %. The government plans to raise it to 12.5 % on a par with Delhi. Delhi does not have a pro-farmer policy. The decision is anti-farmer and inconsistent with the ideology of SAD. The citizens feel cheated by the hike because price control was the pre-poll promise of SAD-BJP.

Prof. RS Brar, Ludhiana

No price fall

First it was reported that the wholesale price index (whatever it means) had fallen by some points. But no relief was felt during the purchase of essentials every day. Now it is being claimed that even the retail price index has fallen. Again, there is no relief to the common consumer. While every rise in the price of diesel would shoot the prices of essentials immediately, its continuous fall has not caused a decrease in the prices even a wee bit. The local MPs 'great' efforts that made a further fall of price in diesel at Chandigarh surely brought cheer to the 'poor' SUV owners, the only beneficiaries of this down trend. When will the common man see a fall in the prices of sugar, daal, aata, milk, vegetables, and the like?

Balvinder, Chandiagarh

High-decibel disturbance

Loudspeakers play loudly in our surroundings. From cradle to grave, all occasions are celebrated to show off and forcibly involve others through high-decibel shows. The noise disturbs our sleep, causes hypertension and loss of productivity in work and studies.

Asish Bhalla, Nakodar

 

Kashmir not paradise Kashmir is known as the paradise in terms of natural beauty. But in reality, it is hell for the people living there. They never know when somebody, either from the Indian military or militants from Pakistan, will take their lives. Kashmir is a political failure because even after decades of Independence, there no solution for the conflict between India and Pakistan over the border issue. The unstoppable insurgency, firing on borders and bomb blasts create havoc in the hearts of Kashmiri people. PK Kalotra, Gurdaspur

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