Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Seeks ban on cultivation of opium and poppy husk in Rajasthan and MP
Chandigarh, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said he will raise the issue of cross border “narco-terrorism” with the PrimeMinister Mr. Narendra Modi and Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh and write a letter to stop pilferage of drugs and narcotics in the state as Punjab was being used as a transit route by the drug peddlers.
Interacting with media persons here on Tuesday, Mr. Badal said “Punjab has a 553 KM long international border with Pakistan which further has a border with Afganistan, known for drug production”. He made it clear that Punjab has zero production of drugs but was a victim of narcotics smuggling. “Punjab is being used by peddlers as transit route from Afghanistan and Pakistan and the state is working day and night to plug all the channels to stop the inflow of drugs to the Punjab,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said security of international borders was the primary duty of BSF and he would write letters to Prime Minister and Home Minister to press the BSF to stop illegal flow of drugs across the border.
Seeking a complete ban on legal cultivation and sale of opium and poppy husk in BJP ruled Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states, Mr Badal said drug peddlers used to smuggle these narcotics to Punjab and other states. He stressed that Punjab is fighting nations’ war against drugs as Punjab Police have seized the highest percentage of drugs by any other state across the nation. Besides that nearly 30,000 smugglers were put behind bars in a special drive against drugs.
Replying to a question about the Punjab Institute of Sports, Mr. Badal said initially 500 budding players would be admitted in this premier sports institute being setup at SAS Nagar having three sub-centres at Jalandhar, Bathinda and Amritsar. He also made it clear that new job policy for players would be cleared in the nextcabinet as it could not be passed due to some technical reasons in today’s meeting. Deputy CM also said that in a major move to promote traditional martial art Gatka, Punjab Government would approve its affiliation in the next cabinet. EOM
