Besides placing the drug inspectors under the administrative control of the chief medical officers (CMOs), the government has decided to sanction more posts of the drug inspectors and initiate action against the drug inspector, who had been accused of negligence resulting in the mishap at Sanjauli.

Deputy Commissioner Ram Subhag Singh, who also held a separate meeting at his level, finalised measures for controlling the consumption of the sedative tablets and cough syrups among the youth. Singh said that two awareness camps had been planned in the town and checking of the licences and stock of the chemists were part of the new steps.

On the advice of the DC, who had briefed Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal about Sanjauli incident -- resulting in the death of a youth (after he had consumed a cough syrup and some sedative tablets in excess dose), the state health department announced frequent checking of the chemists' stocks to ensure that drugs were sold only on doctors' prescriptions. "Purchase and sale of such medicines, currently used by the youth, should be properly accounted for by keeping an appropriate record,'' a health department release said.

Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who also held a meeting with the Chief Minister and later with officials of the department, said that under amended Drug and Cosmetics Act 1989, the drug inspectors had been brought out of the control of CMOs but to ensure proper supervision, the government had decided to place them under administrative control of CMOs and regular checking would be conducted. Steps would also be taken to build-up information, education and communication campaign and create awareness among the vulnerable groups.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) a students' body today held a meeting and demanded a judicial inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of a youth, Vimal Sharma in Shimla. The organisation listed the medicines like corex, phensedyl, spasme-proxyvon, diasapam, luminol and some injections, which were being taken by the youth. Tikander Singh Panwar, DYFI leader accused the government of callous attitude towards increased drug abuse among the youth.

The DC said after meeting the officials that administration had taken the death of the youth and increased addiction seriously and no laxity would be shown in the matter. He announced holding of two camps at Sanjauli on October 25 and before this also had convened a meeting with all chemists to seek their support in drug de-addiction campaign.