Nagpur: The local chemists are opposed to interference of Nagpur police in their affairs and have sought exemption from the compulsion of installing CCTV at their establishments. The chemists approached Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and made out a case of dual supervision, saying it would only create confusion.
A memorandum was faxed to Fadnavis at Mantralaya wherein the chemists pointed out a detailed case of seeking exemption from the latest directive by Nagpur Commissioner of Police and District Collector. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently supervises the chemists and now, city police have sought to periodically examine the drug stores on the grounds of checking whether they are indulging in sale of banned medicines.
District Collector recently issued a directive to that effect making it compulsory to all chemists in Nagpur District to affix CCTV at their establishments. Local chemists, including Manish Mehadia, Sanjay Khobragade, Manoj Deshmukh on behalf of their brethren, said FDA is capable enough of regulating the medicine trade. Mehadia in particular highlighted the case of chemists in rural and tehsil areas saying most of them do not have enough income to incur high cost of affixing CCTV.
Mehadia, in the memorandum, mentioned that, the chemists in rural areas have daily income Rs 500 to Rs1,000 and on that, they have to manage their family and also, the establishment. The affixing of CCTV would be quite expensive and out of their range and hence, the State Government should exempt the chemists in rural areas.
Further, the chemists pointed out that, FDA carries out routine inspection of the sale at drug stores. In case of any violation, prompt action is ensured and hence, no chemist can afford to step out of line and indulge in any malpractices as the cost is quite heavy in case one gets caught. Similarly, they said, the presence of police personnel at chemists would send a different message to society and create doubts in the minds of customers. This is so as people tend to view police presence as something amiss and as if someone has indulged in some serious crime. Hence, the chemists have urged DyCM to hold talks with the District Collector and Commissioner of Police to take back the directive and spare the trouble to them.
