New Delhi, Dec 18: Union Cabinet tonight approved an Amendment in The Drugs and Cosmetics Act to provide death penalty for all those involved in manufacturing, selling and dealing with fake drugs. The offences under this act which were earlier bailable and non-cognisable would now be made non-bailable and cognisable, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Stating that the amendment has been brought following recommendations of the Mashelkar Committee, she said manufacturing and sale of fake drugs amounted to "mass murder purely for earning profit" and "crime against ailing humanity". The bill would be introduced in the current session of Parliament and would be referred to the concerned Parliamentary standing committee.

Asserting that there should be no leniency in dealing with such offenders, she said the amendment would also include establishment of special courts for speedy disposal of cases and provide for compounding of certain offences. It would help in preventing the manufacture and trade of spurious drugs, Swaraj added.

Bureau Report