PIL against digital thermometer, BP monitor being notified as drugs: HC seeks Centre's stand
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought the Centre's response on a plea challenging its decision to notify blood monitoring devices, digital thermometers, nebulizers and glucometers as 'drugs' under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued a notice to the Health Ministry whose notification has been challenged by an association representing manufacturers and traders of surgical and other medical equipment.
The court asked the ministry to file its reply before the next date of hearing on December 11.
The association, in its PIL, has contended that none of the notified devices have a drug component and therefore, bringing them under the ambit of the Act was an arbitrary decision.
The petition, filed through advocates Harsh Kumar, Bhagya Yadav and Aditya Raj, claims that the notification would create an unwarranted burden of expenditure on importers, traders and manufacturers of these devices and consequently, it would be passed on to the consumers.
It said notifying the devices as drugs will result in a substantial hike in their prices which would make them unaffordable for a large segment of society.
Apart from seeking quashing of the notification, the association has also challenged the Constitutional validity of provisions of the Act.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
