Day 2 of chemists’ strike;Pharma traders meet Div Com, seek probe into allotment of shops

 STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: As the chemists’ 72-hour strike completed its first 48 hours on Friday, a delegation of pharma traders met Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal seeking probe into the allotment of 57 shops to a Delhi based firm, Sanyog Enterprises Private Limited.
The delegation led by State Convener J and K Chemists and Druggists Association (JKCDA), Rohit Sharma and comprising President Jammu Chemists Association (JCA), Naveen Bali, General Secretary JCA Prem Sharma and President Jammu Pharmaceutical Distributors Association, Rajan Gupta also submitted a memorandum projecting other demands. Upon this, the Divisional Commissioner assured that he will take up the matter with the concerned authorities.
Meanwhile, JKCDA has criticised the indifference shown by the State Government in this regard. Earlier, Jammu based chemists assembled outside SMGS Hospital, Shalamar, under the chairmanship of Naveen Bali and staged a protest.
The pharma traders questioned that when there are adequate medical shops outside Bakshi Nagar Hospital providing medicines at reasonable prices why 57 shops have been allotted to a single Delhi based company? They asserted that it is unreasonable to open shops inside all government hospitals as there is a chance of duping the ailing people besides affecting the business of chemists.
Later, JCA members took out a rally starting from SMGS Hospital Shalamar which after passing through Gandhi Nagar, Trikuta Nagar, Channi Himmat and Greater Kailash culminated again at SMGS Hospital.
The pharma traders have threatened to intensify their agitation if the government fails to cancel the allotment of aforesaid medical shops to Delhi based company Sanyog.