BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government on Monday suspended two drug inspectors and a Deputy Director of the food and drug administration amid the probe into the death of 14 children from Chhindwara due to suspected renal failure, linked to the consumption of a “toxic” cough syrup.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also transferred the state's Drug Controller, Dinesh Maurya, after chairing a high-level meeting at his residence.
The suspended drug inspectors are identified as Gaurav Sharma and Sharad Kumar Jain, who are posted in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, respectively. The suspended Deputy Director is identified as Shobhit Costa, an official said.
Yadav visited Parasia later in the day to meet the kin of the deceased children.
The chief minister said strict action will be taken against those responsible for the tragic deaths of children, and no negligence will be tolerated.
Police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the death of 14 children, officials said on Sunday.
Dr Praveen Soni from Chhindwara has been arrested for alleged negligence, while a case has been registered against the Coldrif cough syrup manufacturing company.
The government has banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Kancheepuram (Tamil Nadu), with officials saying the drug samples have been found to contain a highly toxic substance.
Of the children who died, 11 were from Parasia sub-division, two from Chhindwara city, and one from Chaurai tehsil.
Eight children are being treated in Nagpur -- four in a government hospital, one at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and three in private facilities, according to officials.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar, on Monday slammed Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla over the deaths of children in Chhindwara after allegedly consuming a contaminated cough syrup.
He demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the victims and a job for their families, and questioned CM Mohan Yadav for not taking action against the Drug Controller.
Singhar criticised the Madhya Pradesh government over the deaths of 14 children in Chhindwara linked to an allegedly toxic cough syrup. He said, “The company has been banned, but why is the doctor being targeted? The Drug Controller, responsible for overseeing manufacturers, should be held accountable.”
He urged the Chief Minister to act immediately, summon the Health Minister, conduct a judicial inquiry, provide compensation to each victim, and offer jobs to their family members.
Earlier, former CM Kamal Nath demanded a Supreme Court-monitored SIT probe, standardized testing of all suspected cough syrups, and strict action against those responsible.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)