Punjab Assembly passes resolution against 'exorbitantly-priced medicines'
Darpan News Desk IANS, 09 Mar, 2023 04:07 PM
Chandigarh, March 9 (IANS) The Punjab Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a non-official resolution to take up the matter of fleecing common people by exorbitantly priced medicines with the Central government.
The resolution was moved by MLA Charanjit Singh during the ongoing budget session of the Assembly here.
After the reply by Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh, all members present in the House passed the non-official resolution to recommend this matter to the Central government.
During his reply, Balbir Singh appreciated the resolution moved by Charanjit Singh and said the issue was already in his mind.
He said even he had recently brought this matter into the notice of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who visited Patiala a few days back.
He said cancer drugs have already been regulated by the government, but non-scheduled drugs and e-pharmacies are yet to be regulated.
He said till these drugs get regulated the easiest way to provide affordable medicines to the common people is by opening maximum 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras' in the state.
He said there are 25 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the state and 16 more have been approved, which will be opened soon. He also urged all MLAs to maximum exhort people to open these centres in their constituencies, which will not only provide affordable medicines to the common people, but will also help generating employment.
"Health is fundamental right of every person and it is the duty of the state and the Central government to provide world-class quality healthcare managed and funded by the government," said Balbir Singh, while adding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government is committed to provide the holistic healthcare facilities in the state.
Reacting to the BJP registering a historic victory in Gujarat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted that Gujarat had rejected those who engaged in the politics of empty promises and appeasement. Shah said that he salutes the people of Gujarat for the historic win.
Stressing on the need to sensitise the common man against the illicit liquor trade for realising the Rangla Punjab mission of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government, Kaler said the Excise Department and the excise police would soon launch an awareness campaign against it.
The drama took place during Question Hour, when BJP MP from Balaghat, Dhal Singh Bisen sought to know from Puri, the quantum of loss faced by the government as several Ujjwala beneficiaries have failed to get a second refill of their cylinders and whether the government will increase the subsidy amount to ensure refill of Ujjwala cylinders.
An NIA official said that Bikramajit had formed a terror group to carry out terror attacks in Punjab along with with his close associates. He was absconding in a terror case lodged by the NIA.
According to sources, hot water (maad) of rice was kept in an open tub after the mid-day meal was cooked in Chhechani Middle School of Sellari Panchayat situated near an Anganwadi centre. The incident took place on November 24 when the victims who studied in the centre wandered near the school ground while playing and fell into the tub.
During the meeting, Gates lauded the work done by Uttar Pradesh government in recent years, underlining the Covid management and encephalitis control despite a dense population. "Uttar Pradesh is a model not only for India, but for the whole world," she said.
