Karnataka Government is yet to take a decision on the appointment of drugs controller as Dr. RG Desai, director, Karnataka health and family welfare service, holding additional charge as DC, retires this month end.

The dilemma has arisen as State Government is yet to decide whether the next DC should be appointed under the Karnataka State Civil Services Recruitment Rules (KSCSRR) or under Karnataka health and family welfare service drugs control department (Non-teaching staff) recruitment rules 2002.

Under the Karnataka State Civil Services Recruitment Rules, a qualified administrator from Indian Administrator Services and Indian Police Service should head the department. Under Karnataka health and family welfare service drugs control department (Non-teaching staff) recruitment rules 2002, the government could depute a DC promoting the additional drugs controller.

If the State Government opts for the recruitment rules 2002 under Karnataka health and family welfare service drugs control department (Non-teaching staff), the recruitment for the Drugs Controller is by promotion and by selection from the cadre of Additional Drugs Controller with a minimum qualification specified under 50-A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945, or if no suitable person is available for promotion, by deputation of an officer of equivalent grade from the Government of India.

With the government delay in its appointment process, the drugs department's future looks quite uncertain as there is no post of additional drugs controller and the no officer from IAS or IPS cadre is keen to become a DC.

The state has also no health minister and hence the whole process of DC selection is being made by the Chief Minister N Dharam Singh in consultation with the health secretary D Thangaraj.

Sources have informed that ever since Dr. Desai took additional charge as DC he has not been able to allot sufficient time to the drugs department. There have been no major decisions from his end and for the day-to-day operations, he has given charge to three Deputy Drugs Controllers (DDCs) - Ramakrishna Gandhi, MN Ramamurthy and MS Kustagi to control the department.

There are reports in the department that one of the DDC's was likely to make it to the top because there is no post of additional drugs controller