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Srinagar, Apr 23 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to close down hospitals, nursing homes and clinical establishments in the state which are operating without proper registration and valid licencses.

Giving directions on a public interest litigation, a bench comprising Chief Justice Bashir Ahmed Khan and Justice Nirmal Singh said, ''we feel concerned over the growing number of unregistered and unlicensed druggists and chemists in the state. It is disappointing that the authorities concerned have allowed this mushroom growth of such chemist shops in disregard of the provisions of the Drug Control Act and the rules made there under.'' ''We are left with no option but to direct closure of these unregistered and unlicensed druggists and chemist shops throughout the state within six weeks,'' the court added.

It also directed the authorities to detach all government doctors appointed against particular posts but attached elsewhere.

The court directed that within one week these doctors should be detached form their present postings and reverted to the posts against which they were appointed unless otherwise protected by a valid judicial order.

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