Accusing BJP Government of ruining careers of several Pharmacists and other para-medics who had completed their professional courses prior to reorganization of J&K, Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman JKNPP and former Minister said delay in issuance of registration and licenses to such candidates on pretext of repeal of earlier laws was highly unjustified. “Around 25,000 candidates had passed various para-medical courses under J&K Pharmacy Act from recognized institutes in the erstwhile J&K State prior to the abrogation of Article 370 and they are now denied licenses by the authorities on pretext of repeal of the earlier Act post reorganization of J&K,” he said. Seeking personal indulgence of Union Health Minister and Medical Council of India for recognizing such courses in view of the same having been completed under the existing laws of then J&K State, NPP activists and affected youth led by Harsh Dev Singh staged a protest demonstration and torched the effigy of the Government. The protestors raised slogans in favour of their demands. Harsh Dev said, non-recognition of such courses would render the diplomas of all such candidates invalid despite having passed the relevant courses as per J&K laws. He said, while the future courses could be conducted under Central Pharmacy Act, the already trained youth under State laws are required to be given relaxation for validation of their degrees. “It is not the fault of these candidates that the laws are changed. It is further ironical to note that J&K Government has admitted even fresh batches for such training courses in various AMT schools of J&K in pursuance of earlier advertisements issued under J&K Pharmacy Act. Despite huge fee have been charged by Government and recognized private institutes, the concerned authorities of Health Department are refusing issuance of registration/licenses on the plea that central Pharmacy Act had become operative in J&K,” he maintained. Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included Surinder Chouhan, Yash Paul Sharma, Kulbushan Attri, Gourav Laskotra, Varun Jandyal, Bupinder Singh, Harikesh Galotra, Nikhil Sharma, Shabaz Ahmed and others.
