De-Addiction Centers Licenses Restored; Mental Health Fellowship Launched

Amidst an ongoing high-profile case of alleged illegal sales of drugs, Panjab’s health department has reinstated 12 of the 22 de-addiction centers belonging to Dr. Amit Bansal. The centers were sealed following raids conducted by the Vigilance Bureau (VB) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The licences of the 12 de-addiction centers were suspended in January 2025 when Dr. Bansal was arrested. Dr Bansal’s network—once the largest private chain of de-addiction centers spread across 16 districts of Panjab and Chandigarh—was shut after allegations of fake patient admissions, inflated patient loads, and the procurement of buprenorphine plus naloxone (BNX) tablets far beyond requirement. Investigators alleged that the surplus tablets were sold illegally in the open market. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court and health department found no discrepancies and ordered the officials to de-seal the de-addiction centers. Meanwhile, the Panjab government has cancelled the recruitment process for psychologists to be hired on a contract basis for de-addiction and rehabilitation societies despite the written examination having been conducted and document verification completed. The government now plans to recruit psychologists through outsourcing, terming it an easier process. Furthermore, Panjab's Health minister Balbir Singh launched the Leadership in Mental Health Programme as part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign, which is the first fellowship program dedicated to reducing substance use and promoting mental well-being in India. The fellowship will bring 35 mental health professionals from across India and abroad and is a joint collaboration between the Panjab Health Department, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Meanwhile, peace was restored in Central Jail in Ludhiana after a violent clash between inmates left several, including the prison superintendent, injured. The violence erupted when two inmates were being sent back to their barracks and one of them allegedly made a provocative remark. The situation spiralled out of control as prisoners started pelting stones and bricks at each other and later at the jail administration and other security personnel who tried to break up the fight. Five police officials were injured in the incident (earlier coverage).