Addressing a press conference here, Satnam Singh, president of the NGO, said the Health ministry in the state did not fulfill the conditions while making an appointment for the State Drug Licencing Authority.

“According to the Drug Act (Rule 76 E), the qualifications for State Drug Licencing Authority for licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drugs should be BAMS or GAMS and five years experience in manufacturing or testing of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs,” said Satnam.

He added that the government's error is serious since it is imperative that the drugs are approved by someone who has good knowledge of Ayurvedic drugs. “Instead, the government appointed IAS officer K B S Sidhu as the State Drug Licencing Authority, thus flouting the rule,” he added. K D S Sidhu retired from the post on December 31 last year.

He said the government not only flouted the rule of the Drug Act by appointing somebody who was not qualified to hold the post, but also risked the health of the people as the drugs need to be licensed by a qualified person.

He added, “Now that the post is lying vacant, therefore, we want the government appoint a competent person who fulfils the conditions of qualifications.”