The Utkal Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (UCDA) expressed resentment over the “arbitrary” closure of three medicine shops at the MKCG Medical College Hospital premises in Brahmapur at a Press meet here on Saturday.
The UCDA submitted a memorandum to the State Government and the Brahmapur district Collector demanding immediate step for reopening of the three shops at the soonest.
UCDA president P Satyanarayan said, “We demand that the Government and the district Collector immediately look into the issue and reopen the three shops or else we would resort to a bandh in the State against the injustice in the coming days for the interest of our members.”
Notably, on January 10, the Brahmapur Sub-Collector accompanied by the Tehsildar and the Ganjam-1 Range Drugs Inspector along with police had visited the three medical stores and sealed the shops.
UCDA general secretary Prasanta Kumar Jena said the officials’ team has not yet given the seizure list nor explained the reasons for seizure of these medicine stores, which have valid drug licences as per law and have been serving the ailing patients for the last few decades.
The officials’ action is against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules there under, alleged Jena.
Among others, UCDA treasurer Debadatta Das and Cuttack district president were present.