The Karnataka Indian System of Medicine Manufacturers Association (KIMMA) has asked the state government to immediately suspend the drug inspector in the Karnataka Directorate of Ayush who was found guilty of dereliction of duty in the investigation conducted by director, Ayush.

KIMMA has submitted a memorandum in this regard to the state Health and Family Welfare department highlighting the prima facie evidence of gross dereliction of duty by the drug inspector.

In a letter addressed to the state additional chief secretary and principal secretary Health and Family Welfare, Usha Ganesh dated April 16, 2007, KIMMA secretary JSD Pani demanded to the government to suspend the inspector under rule 10 (1)(d) and rule 10 (3) of the Karnataka Civil Services (C.C.& A) Rules 1957.

KIMMA has submitted the primary investigation report submitted by investigating officer (director, Ayush) appointed under sec 15(3) of the Lokayukta Act to the additional registrar Lokayukta on December 18, 2006.
The Karnataka Lokayukta report under sec 12(3) of the Lokayukta Act dated March 7, 2007 confirmed the prima facie evidence of gross dereliction of duty of the drugs inspector.

The KIMMA memorandum stated that the primary duty of the drugs inspector appointed under section 33 G of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 was to inspect at least twice a year all the manufacturing units in Karnataka assigned to him by the controlling authority under the Act and to report such inspections to the controlling authority as stipulated under rule 162 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945.

The letter further stated that the concerned officer in question had not inspected manufacturing units and has also failed to inspect even a single unit in 2002.

Primary investigation report clearly stated that the defence statement by the drug inspector was unacceptable. It proved a prima facie evidence of gross dereliction of duty by the drugs inspector in question, stated Pani in the memorandum.

The KIMMA secretary brought to the notice of the state principal secretary, health, that there was prima facie evidence of the gross dereliction of duty by the officer in question. In this regard, KIMMA appealed to the health secretary to order the suspension of the drug inspector in the interest of good governance and justice.