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The Punjab Vigilance Bureau, in its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has unearthed a major scam in the Punjab State Pharmacy Council (PSPC) and arrested two former registrars and a superintendent, allegedly with the help of private pharmacy institutions, as candidates. have been arrested on charges of serious irregularities related to registration and issuance of certificates to pharmacists.
Giving information in this regard today, the spokesperson of the State Vigilance Bureau said that vigilance inquiry no. Parveen Kumar Bhardwaj and Dr. among the accused arrested after the interrogation during 04/2019. Tejbir Singh (both ex-Registrar), and Ashok Kumar Accountant (current Superintendent). He further informed that Parveen Kumar Bhardwaj served as PSPC from 2001 to 2009 and from 24.12.2013 to 25.3.2015. Served as Registrar, while Dr. Tejbir Singh held this post from 23.8.2013 to 24.12.2013.
According to vigilance investigation, accountant Ashok Kumar was also involved in this scam. During the investigation, omissions in the verification process during the registration of pharmacists were discovered. Apart from this, many fake D-Pharmacy certificates were also found during the routine inspection. During this investigation, it became clear that strict protocols and mandatory educational qualifications were neglected by the said accused registrars and employees during the admission process for D-Pharmacy courses running in 105 pharmacy colleges of Punjab.
The Punjab State Board of Technical Education, which conducts online counseling for admissions to D-Pharmacy courses in government colleges of the state, leaves vacancies in private institutions during that counseling. To fill these seats, the private colleges allegedly hired the said registrars and PSPC. With the connivance of the employees of , students from other states were allegedly admitted by taking huge bribes from these candidates without obtaining the mandatory migration certificate.
Apart from this, many students who have done 10+2 in private medical or non-medical streams are also admitted to D-Pharmacy course with required 10+2 educational qualification, while regular 10+2 according to qualification. And must have passed by participating in science practical.
The spokesperson said that during the investigation it has also come to light that officials and employees of Punjab State Pharmacy Council colluded with private pharmacy colleges in return for bribes and allowed admissions without verification of mandatory migration certificate and 10+2 certificates.
Apart from this, irregularities have come to light in connection with the process of approval and registration of certificates issued by Boards of Education recognized by the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) in India. P.S.P.C. The officers and employees of the private colleges registered these candidates and issued certificates with the connivance of the principals and managers and on the basis of such fake certificates they got jobs in various departments or helped in setting up medical shops.
Giving further information, he said that the accused Parveen Kumar Bhardwaj was suspended on 31.3.2011 on charges of fake admissions, fake certificates, manipulation of records and errors in dispatch register. However, he was later reappointed as Registrar on 24.12.2013 but his services were terminated on 25.3.2015 on writ petition before the High Court.
The spokesperson further informed that during the verification conducted by the Director, Medical Education and Research (DRME), and Medical Colleges of Amritsar, Faridkot and Patiala, admissions and PSPC. Many irregularities were found in the registration procedures of Reports from Amritsar and Faridkot Colleges showed PSPC. has disclosed the manipulation in admissions and registration.
He further informed that fake certificates of 143 students between 2005 and 2022 have been exposed during the investigation. These students completed D-Pharmacy diplomas in private colleges taking advantage of their connections with officials/employees of the Punjab Board of Technical Education.
P.S.P.C. Several letters were sent requesting comments on verification reports from 2016 to 2023, but despite this, PSPC He failed to provide necessary comments, citing the pending investigation. Further, the role of Government Medical College Patiala in verifying the reports of some districts has also been unclear due to the absence of lists provided. Out of a total of 3078 verifications, PSPC provided comments on only 453 pharmacists without providing any information on identified fraudulent documents.
Apart from this, irregularities were also discovered about students who got D-Pharmacy certificate after completing diploma from Punjab State Board of Technical Education and private colleges despite doing 10+2 from education boards of other states which PSPC . Indicates errors made during verification and registration by
He said that Dr. as registrar. Abhinder Singh Thind, Dr. The connivance of Tejbir Singh and Parveen Kumar Bhardwaj led to the issuance of many fake pharmacy certificates, endangering public health and safety. Five zones of the state exposed the irregularities by DRME. Submitted verification reports to However, apart from Faridkot, PSPC The report is still pending due to which the reports did not come out with a clear verdict on these irregularities.
A letter from the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), New Delhi, has emphasized the need to scrutinize every application for pharmacist registration, including verification of educational credentials and legal status under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Compliance with conditions includes but not limited to PSPC. The registrar and the employees completely ignored these mandatory conditions.
It was further learned that Parveen Kumar Bhardwaj had allegedly signed two pharmacy certificates for students of the Himachal State Pharmacy Council despite not holding the post of Registrar at the time.
Keeping in mind the above irregularities, the FIR against the said 17 dated 8.12.23 I.P.C. A case has been registered at the Ludhiana economic crime branch of the Vigilance Bureau under section 420, 465, 466, 468, 471, 120-B. He said that during further investigation by the Vigilance Bureau, PSPC. The roles of other officials, employees and clerks as well as persons associated with private colleges will also be investigated.
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