Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra on Tuesday informed that that international agencies have been warning about fake COVID-19 vaccines and there have also been a couple of cases in Gwalior where the adulterated plasma was detected.
Mishra also informed that the state government decided to introduce a provision for a life sentence for those found guilty of food and drug adulteration
Speaking to media persons here, Mishar said, "A fake vaccine can be supplied by tampering with the Corona vaccine. For this, whoever is caught supplying fake vaccines will be directly penalized with life imprisonment. Also, it has been decided to amend the Food Security Act. Till now, there was a provision for a maximum sentence of 3 years under this law, which has now been increased to five years."
"The World Health Organization (WHO) has received information from Interpol that a fake vaccine can be supplied by tampering with the Corona vaccine. Hence, all precautions are being taken. The state government will not allow anyone to play with people’s lives," Mishra said.
The Penal Laws (Madhya Pradesh Amendment) Bill 2020, which provides for those indulging in food and drug adulteration to be sent to jail for life, will be introduced in the state Assembly soon, he added.
Mishra added that a bill to prevent marriages with the intention of religious conversion will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting on December 26.
- Amendment in Food Safety Act
The Home Minister said that now the adulteration whether it is in milk, foodstuff, or sale of medicines of any kind that has exceeded its expiry date, these offenses will be considered serious in nature under the amended law. In all these offenses the quantum of punishment has been increased from 3 years to 5 years.
- 'Strict action will be taken against adulterators'
Home Minister Narottam Mishra recently referred to the case of selling fake plasma in Gwalior. He said that this is a crime of serious nature. He said that the proposal to increase the quantum of punishment for selling drugs that have exceeded their expiry date has also been given by the Law Department, which has been approved by the Cabinet.
- 'Tightening the noose campaign against adulteration proving successful'
In Madhya Pradesh, a 'tightening the noose against adulteration' campaign is being launched to curb adulteration. The Home Minister said that CM Shivraj himself is monitoring this campaign. By the way, positive results have come out of this campaign. Although, despite the ‘iron-fist approach’ there are two to three zones of the state from where reports of adulteration are still coming.
- Gangs selling fake plasma operating in Gwalior
A businessman from Datia, Manoj Aggarwal died on the morning of 10 December in Apollo Hospital in Gwalior after he was administered with fake plasma. After which the whole health department came into action. The police hastily took action and arrested five people including the gang leader. Ajay Shankar Tyagi is the mastermind of this racket. NSA has been imposed against the accused. In the investigation, fake plasma supplies have also been found in other districts as well. Due to this, reaching the roots of this gang is still a challenge for the police.
- Discussion on the draft Freedom of Religion Bill will continue
The draft of the Freedom of Religion Bill was presented in the cabinet meeting. Many ministers also gave their important suggestions on the bill. Now in the cabinet meeting scheduled on December 26, will discuss the freedom of religion bill again.
- Cabinet gives nod for the amendment of Minor Minerals Act 1996
Shivraj cabinet has amended the Minor Minerals Act 1996 to include 31 minor minerals in it. Now mining lease will be available through the online application. The work of making sand from the stone was also included in the Act. 75 percent of the people working in lease holding minor mines will be from Madhya Pradesh.
These proposals were also approved
- Cabinet gave approval for the appointment of pharmacist post and male nurse in the jail department.
- Shivraj cabinet has also approved the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Bhoj, Shukla, and Ambedkar University.
- Approval has also been given to open Eklavya University in Damoh, Arvindo University in Indore, Mahakaushal University in Jabalpur.
- The government has approved the inclusion of a groundwater irrigation scheme in the PM Agricultural Irrigation Scheme (water to every farm).
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