Lack of new kits hits dope tests of arms licence applicants
Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 22
All three authorised centres here are unable to conduct dope tests, mandatory to get the arms licence due to the unavailability of new test kits.
In Patiala, the dope tests are conducted at Mata Kaushlaya Government Hospital, government clinics in Tripuri, and Model Town.
These centres do not have kits that can conduct the new additional tests. As per the new guidelines, the number of intoxicants for which applicants will be screened have been increased from the existing five to 10.
The state government has also increased the charges of the tests. At present, government hospitals under the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) charge Rs 1,500. Earlier, it was just Rs 500.
As per the guidelines notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice in July 2016, an applicant, applying for new arms licence or renewing the old one, has to be examined for mental and physical health with clear mention that the applicant was not dependent on any intoxicating agent.
As per sources, the centres were conducting the tests with out-dated medical kits, which were earlier used by the Punjab Police to examine the intoxicants in the body.
Interestingly, Rajendra Hospital does not conduct dope tests. Commenting on the kits, Civil Surgeon Harish Malhotra, said, “Right now, we do not have kits that can conduct the new tests. I have requested the Health Secretary to provide us with kits.”
