I saw Takkar in NDTV India when Baba Ramdev was being interviewed he was saying in a pucca Haryanvi Accent "Yeh Brinda Karat hoti kon hai"
Well Baba, Brinda is Radhika Roy's sister, Prannoy Roy (NDTV)' s wife and major share holder in the company.
I still dunno whether the CPI is against MNC's or Desi Products. And I also want to know whether the baba practices what he preaches with the employees at his Ayuervedic Factory.
I hope these 2 make peace coz I think both of them are doing a decent job for the public.
The story so far.
Dear Friend,
ReplyDeleteBefore getting into conclutions depending on the right-media's news story, please listen what CPI(M) says on this issue.
Cover Blown On Swami Ramdev’s 'Herbal' Medicines
THE CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and MP, Brinda Karat, announced that the union health ministry has confirmed that there is prima facie evidence about presence of animal parts in the samples of Ayurvedic medicines produced by Divya Yog Pharmacy, Uttaranchal, which is owned by Swami Ramdev.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on January 3, 2006, Brinda Karat released copies of the letter sent by the union health ministry to her. The ministry was responding to her complaint dated July 7, 2005 enclosing certain sealed samples of medicines bought from the said pharmacy in Uttaranchal and the receipts for the sale. She had requested that the medicines should be tested for animal matter as also powder made from human skulls. In the letter sent to her, the ministry has stated that "Analysis reports of the samples given by you have since been received and prima facie reveal a violation of the licensing and labelling procedures of the Indian Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940". Karat pointed out that this Act requires that the content of any medicines shall be properly displayed. The licensing procedure for use of animal matter is also entirely different. The said pharmacy does not have the legal right to use any animal matter.
Saying that the findings of the most reputed laboratories have confirmed her apprehensions, she said that the tested samples prove the use of such matter. "This information will greatly pain and shock the following of the Swami who has gained popularity through his programmes in various television channels. Many of those who would have taken the medicine would be strict vegetarians. The Swamy owes them an explanation", she said.
Brinda Karat also released to the media her letter to the Uttaranchal chief minister, N D Tiwari, cautioning against any cover up of this latest violation by the said pharmacy. On the repeated violations of labour laws in the pharmacy, Karat had this to say in her letter: "I have learnt that you had recently inaugurated a building of the said pharmacy. It has also been reported that in spite of the recommendation of the labour minister and other labour department authorities, the management of the pharmacy has not been prosecuted for its violation of labour laws. I hope that there will be no cover-up of this criminal violation by the Swamy of the laws of this country. The government of Uttaranchal should move in the matter without any delay", she added.
Meanwhile, the CITU in a statement issued on January 4, stated "About violation of labour laws by Divya Yog Pharmacy management, Ramdev suppressed certain basic facts. Following an agitation by the pharmacy workers in April-May 2005 and vindictive termination of the services of many employees by the management, a tripartite agreement was concluded on 21-05-2005 between the management of Divya Yog Pharmacy at Hardiwar which envisaged observance all labour laws for the workers of the pharmacy and reinstatement of all the workers terminated by the management. But even before the ink of the agreement dried up, the management refused to implement the tripartite agreement. Still now those 115 workers including 42 women have been out of employment and staging dharna before the DM’s office at Haridwar. But the state administration did not take any action against the management. Ramdev’s complaint about alleged blackmail and gangsterism by some workers is nothing but an effort to cover-up the anti-workers and unlawful acts of the management. Only one out those 115 terminated workers was arrested on some fabricated charges and he was also released on bail. And that does not justify as to why the tripartite agreement dated 21-05-2005 has not been implemented or why all the 115 workers have not been taken back to job as per the tripartite agreement. The media-blitz by Ramdev did not venture to answer any of the above points." (INN)
CPI(M) On Issues Involved
ReplyDeleteThe Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on January 5, 2006.
THE reported statement of the Uttaranchal chief minister N D Tiwari that the issues raised about adulteration of medicines in a pharmacy in his state is a personal one between Shri Ramdevji and Brinda Karat is extremely surprising and unfortunate.
There are two issues involved in the matter. The first is the violation of labour laws in the pharmacy owned by Shri Ramdev. 110 workers have been illegally dismissed after they protested for not being paid the minimum wage and overtime. The second is the testing of the samples of two medicines from his pharmacy by the health ministry which has confirmed the presence of animal matter whereas they are labeled as herbal medicines.
To divert attention from these issues, wild and also personalised allegations are being made. There is no question of any opposition to yoga, ayurveda or any other indigenous medicines. However, these medicines are to be dispensed with utmost transparency according to official regulations and if there is any violation it must be checked and suitable measures taken against wrong doings. A proper investigation is called for.
The N D Tiwari government should also immediately ensure reinstatement of the workers dismissed.
DSF On Ramdev Controversy
ReplyDeleteThe Delhi Science Forum has issued the following statement on January 5:
THE on-going controversy regarding alleged irregularities in formulations being produced by the Divya Yog Pharmacy run by the yoga guru Baba Ramdev raises several serious issues requiring urgent attention of the union ministry of health and drug control authorities besides action by the state government of Uttaranchal.
As confirmed by the ministry of health, tests in reputed laboratories have shown prima facie violation of licensing and labelling provisions of the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. Put simply, ingredients of the formulations do not conform to the listing on the label. This misbranding or wrong labelling itself is a serious violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, drawing a possible penalty of cancellation of license. It also needs to be further ascertained whether this is a case of manufacture of spurious products which is an even more serious offence, whether or not animal or even human material was used, as has reportedly been confirmed by some laboratories. The DSF demands that all findings by laboratories should be disclosed to the public.
Baba Ramdev also appears to be protesting too much using one argument or another whereas, if everything is above board, he should welcome a thorough investigation. He has even questioned the authority of those who collected the samples and sent them to the health ministry whereas any consumer has the right to do so under the act! Baba Ramdev and various supportive organisations have also adopted a belligerent stance, alleging that his critics are against the traditional systems or that they are in the payrolls of MNCs. The DSF and other progressive organisations have in fact always maintained that while traditional systems may be practiced, but the law of the land must be applied on its practioners.
It is incumbent on the Drug Control and other authorities to inspect the facilities of the company, test samples of all durgs produced and ascertain whether quality control mechanisms are in place. Concerned agencies of the central government cannot absolve themselves of responsibility with regard to these and related issues, and cannot simply throw the matter into the lap of the state government. It is hoped that the case will be pursued sincerely without being swayed by pressures from influential quarters.
The case highlights a number of other important issues regarding the manufacture and sale of Ayurvedic or other traditional medicines. There is enormous laxity in regulation as regards clinical trails, efficiency and standards relating to Ayurvedic medicines. Standard scientific principles and methods should be applied to this sector as is done with other pharmaceuticals since peoples health or even life depends on whether the particular product actually treats the aliment it claims to heal or causes other harmful effects. As a case in point, some Ayurvedic medicinal products were recently taken off US and European markets because they were found to contain heavy metals and other toxic ingredients. It is essential that proper standards are lad down and monitored for Aurvedic and other traditional medicines failing which dreams of promoting Indian systems of medicine both in India and abroad will remain unfulfilled.
Proper ethic as regards promotion and marketing of traditional medicines also require to be observed and concerns regarding advertising of durgs, as in the case of modern medicines, apply to this sector too. In particular, use of quasi-religious positions or platform to promote certain products is highly questionable and the authorities as well as the public need to beware of such practice.
More explanations of CPI(M) on this issue available at
ReplyDeletehttp://pd.cpim.org/2006/0108/01082005_brinda.htm
and
http://pd.cpim.org
Rajesh : I think if something works whats the big deal. Besides I no fan of the Baba or Brinda Karat but I think these two should patch up as they both stand good for India and Swadeshi.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of a workers in the Baba's Medicine factory snowballed into a national issue is a matter of shame.
peace