Private chemist shops on PGI campus to be identified by numbers

To avoid fleecing by private chemist shops on the campus of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the institute has decided that the shops will be allotted and identified by serial numbers instead of names.
The PGIMER administration came up with the idea after it received complaints that private chemist shops are using the name and symbols resembling with government-run Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacies.
Around 15 shops on the premises of the institute have been allotted space by the institute to run pharmacies. The shops are allotted space through a tender process and the monthly rent of some shops on prime locations, which witness a huge rush of patients from the emergency wing, is more than ₹1 crore a month.
To avoid duplicity at the time of allotment of shops, the institute administration has denied permission to chemist shops to use the name of AMRIT pharmacies, officials said.
The AMRIT retail outlets, which sell drugs at highly discounted rates, have a very comprehensive list of medicines. The medicines are affordable and accessible to all sections of people and medicines are sold at discounts between 50 and 80% in the AMRIT outlets.
Officials say that a few shops have installed boards which resemble that of AMRIT. Even the picture of the Prime Minister is used to show association with the government scheme and thus lure patients.
Dr Ashok Kumar, the official spokesperson, said that from next time, shop allotment will be done only on the basis of numbers and thus leave minimum scope for manipulation.
“The institute is making guidelines in this regard. From the next time when shops will be allotted, we will use numbers for identification of the shop,” said Dr Kumar.
-
Dog lovers hail SC order: A paw-sitive ruling
One can't deny the hardships a street dog faces, especially in Delhi's sweltering heat. The apex court has also recognised a stray's right to food and a citizen's right to feed. In a much-awaited decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a previous Delhi High Court order that allowed residents to feed stray dogs at designated feeding spots in colonies — bringing relief to dog lovers and their furry friends.
-
After heavy rain hits Delhi-NCR, Gurugram urges for WFH 'wherever possible'
The Gurugram district administration issued an advisory on Monday asking private companies to allow their staff to work from home so that traffic congestion on roads can be prevented. Several major roads in the city have been flooded after the downpour in the morning. Yadav, who is also the chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority, said it was advisable that companies ensured that as many employees as possible worked from home.
-
Operations disrupted at Delhi airport, 20 flights diverted, over 100 delayed
New Delhi: At least 20 flights were diverted and around 100 delayed between 6 am and 10 am as wind speeds touching as high as 75 km per hour disrupted operations at the Delhi airport. Officials said a majority of the diversions took place between 6:30 and 9 am before normal operations resumed. Thirteen flights were diverted to Jaipur, two each to Lucknow and Amritsar, and one each to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Indore.
-
Gurugram traffic police on WFH amid heavy rain: 'We don't have an option but...'
The Gurugram Traffic Police on Monday asked the residents of the city - neighbouring Delhi - to "consider exercising the option to work from home" after a heavy rainfall on Monday caused flooding on city roads and blockade due to uprooted trees. "Water logging has been reported near Atul Kataria chowk . Our traffic officials are on the spot to facilitate the traffic flow. Commuters are requested to plan their travel accordingly. @gurgaonpolice (sic)."
-
Rain brings respite from heat wave in Punjab, Haryana
Due to a western disturbance active over the region, light to moderate rainfall was recorded across Punjab and Haryana, leading to a significant drop in the mercury on Monday. Due to thundershowers and winds that blew overnight, the temperature witnessed a fall of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. Manmohan Singh, the India Meteorological Department, Chandigarh, director added that the maximum day temperature is expected to touch 37 degrees Celsius on Monday, 4 to 5 degrees below the average day temperature.