Odisha To Crackdown On Hoarding And Black Marketing Of Covid Medicines And Supplies

Bhubaneswar: A day after the state government formed a high level committee to check hoarding and black marketing of medicines and other essential medical supplies that are crucial for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, a full proof strategy has been devised in consultation with all stakeholders. A meeting was held today in this regard headed by Chairman of the Committee Y K Jethwa, ADG Crime Branch.

The meeting chalked out a strategy to intensify enforcement drive throughout Odisha to prevent any hoarding of essential Covid supplies. Joint Flying Squads, Surveillance teams and Surprise Checking Teams comprising enforcement wing of the Drugs Controller, Police, Special Task Force of Crime Branch will be part of the Joint Enforcement mechanism. It was also decided that sharp vigil and intelligence will be an integral part of the strategy. Raids, searches and seizures and action under criminal laws against unscrupulous elements were finalized in the meeting.
Yesterday, the Government of Odisha had formed a State level committee to check hoarding and black marketing of medicines and other essential medical supplies headed by ADG, CID CB, Y K Jethwa. An officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary from the health department and the Drugs Controller, Odisha are members of the panel.

The high level committee will monitor district wise availability of essential medical supplies and ensure that the officers conducting the raids, search and seizure get full cooperation from various agencies including police, wherever required, to prevent any hoarding and black marketing.