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Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009
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Reward for whistle-blowers on spurious drugs

Aarti Dhar

NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry has drafted rules for the scheme of giving monetary rewards to whistle-blowers on spurious drugs.

Such a scheme, already operational in other enforcement departments, also pays a good dividend in terms of voluminous seizures.

Handsome rewards will be offered to those who give specific information to designated authorities, leading to seizure of spurious, adulterated, misbranded and poor quality drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. The scheme will be applicable to both informers and officers of the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO).

The reward will to be given to informers or officials only when there is confirmation of the seizure by designated officers of the CDSCO. Up to 20 per cent of the total cost of the seized consignments is payable to the informer. It will not, however, exceed Rs. 25 lakh in each case. For an officer of the government/CDSCO, the reward will not exceed Rs. 5 lakh for one case and the maximum will be Rs. 30 lakh in his/her entire service.

To ensure that the informers are not made to wait till the end, 25 per cent of the amount will be given at the time of filing the charge sheet in court.

To ensure that they do not turn hostile during the trial and continue to assist the court, 25 per cent will be given at the time of disposal of the case in favour of the government in the first court of law. The remaining amount will be paid only when the case is finally disposed of in favour of the government and no appeal is pending in any other court.

The eligibility of the informer and the quantum of cash rewards will be decided by a committee consisting of officials from different departments/offices.

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