Admn suspends drug control officer

CHANDIGARH: The UT administration on Wednesday suspended absconding drug control officer Sunil Chaudhary booked for allegedly demanding Rs 80,000 bribe from a Dhanas-based chemist to issue a licence. Around a week back, the vigilance had arrested Sector 63 resident Ashok Narula for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 25,000 on behalf of Chaudhary.
"Narula in his statement has claimed that Chaudhary had been accepting bribes often.This is enough to suspend a government official," said an official. "Chemists reluctant to talk due to his post can now come forward and provide evidence," said the official. The action was taken by UT adviser Dharam Pal following approval from Punjab governor and UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit.
The Haryana cadre officer had been sent on deputation to Chandigarh in 2022, his second posting as drug officer. The health department has three drug officers under the director health services. Their responsibility is to regulate and monitor drugs available with chemists and other sellers with licence.