The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has made significant strides in its fight against corruption in the state by uncovering a major scandal in the Punjab State Pharmacy Council (PSPC). The bureau has apprehended two former Registrars and one Superintendent for their alleged involvement in serious irregularities related to registering and issuing certificates to Pharmacists, purportedly in collusion with privately owned pharmacy institutions.
The individuals arrested are Parveen Kumar Bhardwaj, Dr. Tejbir Singh (both former Registrars), and Ashok Kumar Accountant (presently Superintendent), following their implication in a vigilance inquiry.
The investigation revealed critical oversights in the verification process during the registration of Pharmacists, leading to the discovery of numerous fake D-Pharmacy certificates during routine inspections. It was found that mandatory educational qualifications were disregarded by the accused Registrars and officials during the admission process for D-Pharmacy courses across 105 pharmacy colleges in Punjab.
Private colleges allegedly admitted students from other states in connivance with the said Registrars and officials of PSPC without obtaining mandatory migration certificates, accepting significant bribes from unsuspecting candidates. Furthermore, several students gained admission to the D-pharmacy course by possessing the requisite 10+2 educational qualifications in medical or non-medical streams privately. In contrast, it has to be passed regularly and by attending science practicals.
The investigation also uncovered discrepancies regarding the approval and registration process of certificates issued by education boards accredited by the Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE). The PSPC officials, in collusion with principals and organizers of private colleges, facilitated the registration of candidates from these boards, allowing them to secure employment in various departments and establish medical shops based on such fake certificates.
The accused's involvement during their tenure as Registrars led to the issuance of numerous fake pharmacy certificates, potentially compromising public health and safety.
In light of these findings, a case FIR 17 dated 8.12.23 has been registered at VB police station EOW Ludhiana under sections 420, 465, 466, 468, 471, and 120-B of IPC. The VB investigation would further scrutinize the roles of other officials, employees, and clerks of PSPC, along with individuals associated with private colleges.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau's efforts to root out corruption in the state have exposed this significant malpractice, and further investigations are underway to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.