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
