In a bid to combat the menace of spurious, adulterated drugs and medications, the State Government has announced creation of five special courts to fast-track trial process of such offences.
The courts of the District and Sessions Judge at Koraput, Ganjam, Sambalpur, Balasore and Cuttack have been designated as the special courts. As per the notification issued by the Government, the Special Court at Koraput will adjudicate cases from Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Nuapada districts while the Ganjam Court will cover those from Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Boudh.
The Sambalpur Special Court will rule over the districts of Balangir, Sonepur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Sundargarh and Sambalpur. Balasore will adjudicate cases from Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Jajpur while Cuttack will cover undivided Cuttack district, Dhenkanal, Angul, Puri, Nayagarh and Khurda.
The courts have been formed in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Act, 2008, for facilitating speedy trial of offences relating to adulterated and spurious drugs. The amended law, which came into force from August 10, 2009, has made the offences cognizable and non-bailable and also imposed stringent punitive measures for those indulging in manufacture and sale of such products.
But the objectives are far from achieved as the cases have joined the pile-ups at different courts in absence of special courts for the offences. More than 381 cases on spurious drugs were pending at different levels of adjudication in different courts by the end of 2010.
Lack of special courts to conduct speedy trial has failed to instil fear among the unscrupulous elements despite the fact that the law provides stringent punishment, a senior official of the Health and Family Welfare Department said.
The Amended Act has stipulated imprisonment of not less than 10 years, which may extend to life, for manufacturers or sellers of spurious or adulterated drugs. The elements would be further liable for a fine of minimum ` 10 lakh or three times the value of the confiscated drugs whichever is higher.
The influx of spurious drugs and medications into the State has assumed alarming proportions in the recent years. In 2012, around 40 persons in Cuttack and Khurda districts lost their lives after consuming medical preparations laced with spurious alcohol.
HIGHLIGHTS
■ There has been a huge pile up of such cases. More than 381 cases were pending in various courts by end of 2010.
■ In 2012, 40 persons lost their lives after consuming medical preparations with alcohol