Rupnagar, October 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Member of Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, on Monday announced that a strict monitoring mechanism would be introduced to regulate the supply of medicines from neighbouring states and prevent the illegal sale and misuse of restricted and habit-forming medicines in Punjab.
Kang chaired a meeting at the Committee Room of the District Administrative Complex in Rupnagar to review enforcement measures against the illegal sale and supply of such medicines. He directed the concerned authorities to take stringent action against medical store operators found violating prescribed regulations.
He said the Punjab Government had taken several steps to curb the illegal sale of narcotic, restricted and habit-forming medicines. However, concerns remained over supplies arriving from neighbouring states, particularly medicines that can be sold only through authorised medical stores. He stressed that a robust monitoring system was necessary to address the issue effectively.
During the meeting, officials reviewed enforcement action in Rupnagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Hoshiarpur and SAS Nagar districts. Discussions covered the current situation, action already taken, pending cases and proposals for further measures. The performance of Drug Control Officers was also assessed.
Kang directed officials to act firmly against those endangering the health of young people and the future of society. He particularly emphasised the need for close monitoring of medical stores operating in villages and towns.
He said unauthorised sales of habit-forming medicines and violations of prescribed regulations would not be tolerated. The concerned departments were instructed to conduct regular inspections, maintain effective surveillance and discharge their responsibilities diligently.
The MP also reviewed inspections carried out over the previous two to three years, action taken against the licences of medicine sellers, seizures of medicines and cases registered over alleged violations.
The meeting further discussed identifying repeat offenders and establishments, assessing the outcomes of previous enforcement measures and taking additional steps to disrupt illegal supply networks.
Reviewing pending cases, Kang stressed the need for their timely disposal in accordance with the law. He said enforcement efforts should go beyond inspections and seizures, with sustained action required to identify the sources of illegal sales and dismantle the supply chains involved.
He also called for a time-bound action plan covering the entire Sri Anandpur Sahib parliamentary constituency. The plan should include regular reviews of enforcement activities and clearly defined targets to measure progress, he said.
Kang described curbing the illegal sale of narcotic and habit-forming medicines as both a social responsibility and a matter of legal compliance. He emphasised that better coordination among departments, accountability and continuous monitoring would be essential to address the problem.
Drug Inspectors from the concerned districts were directed to prepare detailed reports on enforcement action taken in their respective jurisdictions and outline future measures. They were also instructed to promptly forward details of the decisions taken at the meeting to the Health Department headquarters to facilitate further action.
Those present included Rupnagar Deputy Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta, SP Harsimrat Singh Shetra, SDM Nangal Sachin Pathak, SDM Sri Chamkaur Sahib Pardeep Singh Bains, SDM Morinda Chetan Bangar, SDM Rupnagar Jaspreet Singh, Dr Girish Chughra of Civil Hospital, Mohali, Dr Anjali Chaudhary of Civil Hospital, Rupnagar, Drug Control Officer Rupnagar Harpreet Kaur, DCO Mohali Jasarman Kaur, DCO Gurpreet Singh Sodhi, DCO SAS Nagar Anurag, DCO Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Gurjit Singh, DCO Hoshiarpur Manpreet Singh and other senior officials.
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