Jharkhand News : The Jharkhand government is set to cancel the recognition of 34 pharmacy colleges operating Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) courses in gross violation of departmental norms. These institutions neither obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the government nor applied for one. Shockingly, many of them do not own land or buildings and lack both teaching and non-teaching staff.
As a result, the Letters of Consent issued earlier to these 34 institutions will be withdrawn by the government.
🔹 Explanations Sought From 36 Other Colleges
The inquiry also revealed 36 more pharmacy institutions that own land and buildings but suffer from partial shortages of teaching and non-teaching staff. Despite attempting to operate D.Pharm courses, these colleges too failed to obtain or apply for an NOC. The Health Department has sought written explanations from all 36 institutions, after which further action will be decided.
🔹 Questions Raised Over PCI Norms Compliance
Serious questions have also been raised over why inspections mandated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)—covering faculty strength, infrastructure, laboratories, and other resources—were not properly conducted by the examination committee. The Chairperson/Member Secretary of the D.Pharm Examination Committee will also be asked to explain this lapse.
🔹 Major Irregularities Found in Departmental Probe
Following complaints of irregularities, the Jharkhand Health Department constituted a three-member inquiry committee in August last year on the directions of Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh.
The committee, chaired by Deputy Secretary Ranjit Lohra, with members Dheeranjan Prasad Sharma and Prashant Pandey, inspected 71 pharmacy institutions across the state. The probe uncovered widespread violations, and the report has since been submitted to the department.
According to the report, several institutions failed to comply with government regulations and did not meet PCI standards.
🔹 Students’ Future a Key Concern
With recognition likely to be cancelled, the future of students enrolled in these colleges has emerged as a major concern. The Health Department has said that students’ interests will be kept in mind while taking the final decision.
