NewZNew (Talwandi Sabo/Bathinda) : In a bid to eliminate inter-state smuggling of psychotropic substances, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab Government was contemplating to file a Public Interest Litigation in Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking ban on opium and poppy cultivation in the state.
Interacting with media persons after inaugurating Akal University here Mr. Badal said that the decision of Rajasthan High Court placing embargo on poppy cultivation was commendable and now Punjab Government was considering to move to Madhya Pradesh High Court for stopping cultivation of poppy husk and opium. He said that there should not be two laws in the country against cultivation of poppy since in some states the cultivation was legal, while it was illegal in others. He said that there should be uniformity in this regard in the entire country and Punjab is strongly advocating ban on such bitter harvest.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab was not producing synthetic drugs but instead it was fighting nation’s war against drugs. He added that some anti state forces, with vested political gains, were trying to defame Punjab and brave Punjabis by dubbing them as addicts.
While talking about unprecedented holistic development in the state, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP government has fulfilled 99 percent promises made to the electorates. He said that Punjab was very forward as compare to other states in all round and uniform development of both rural and urban areas. He said that people should commend such landmark progress and growth registered by SAD-BJP government.
Ridiculing the false propaganda being launched by opposition Mr. Badal dared Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh to list a single achievement attained during his tenure. He said that the sole aim of Captain Amarinder’s rallies in marriage palaces was against PPCC President Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa to dethrone him by capturing the leadership of state Congress.
On being asked about the rift between Aam Aadmi Party leadership in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that the balloon of AAP has completely burst as the real face of it has been exposed in Delhi. He said that there was no democracy in AAP since Mr. Arvind Kejriwal was running his party like a dictator and the political end of it was not far. Accusing Mr.Kejriwal, the Deputy CM said that AAP has set aside Rs. 520 crore for publicity of AAP Government, which proves the difference of world between what he said and what he did
When asked about shifting of prisoners to Punjab from jails of other states, Mr. Badal said there was clear cut verdict of Apex Court that no state could release the lifetime convicts. He said that Punjab Government would not allow anyone to disturb communal harmony and law and order in the state.
On the issue of Punjabis named in blacklist, Mr. Badal said that the Punjab Government was taking up the issue with the union government. He said that there was no need to maintain blacklist and proclaimed offenders should be treated as per law of land and courts could initiate prosecution.
When asked about the menace of stray cattle in state, Mr. Badal said that Punjab government has prepared a comprehensive plan to construct gaushalas (cattle sheds) in the state in each district. He said that process in this regard has been initiated, which would be accomplished within one year.
Referring to a query regarding mushrooming of chit-fund trade in Malwa belt, Deputy Chief Minister said that instructions in this regards have been issued to the district administrations to look into the matter by ensuring needful action against the fraudulent people running chit funds.
Earlier addressing the massive congregation before inaugurating Akal University complex, Deputy Chief Minister said that Kalgidhar Trust has made commendable contribution in the field of education by setting up hundreds of educational institutes not only in Punjab but in other states too. He said that Baru Sahib academies have unique name in imparting education as well as upholding religious-socio-cultural values amongst the students.
The Deputy Chief Minsiter said that Punjab Government was contemplating to include sports in educational curriculum as a compulsory subject to build healthy society and sports culture in the state.
Meanwhile Punjab Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that Sant Iqbal Singh Baru Sahib has setup a world class platform at “Guru Ki Kashi” to spread the message of unity, brotherhood and religious awakening. He said the role played by this institution was a role model for other institutions to serve the mankind by imbibing spirit
of religious-cultural education. Mr. Majithia also urged the trust to come up with such a world class university in Majha region also to provide quality education over there.
Among others present on the occasion included Sant Iqbal Singh, Chairman Kalgidhar Trust, Dr. Khem Singh Gill, Vice President, MLA Mr. Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Dr. Gurmel Singh, Vice Chancellor, Mr. Vinnerjit Singh Goldy, Vice Chairman PRTC, Additional Advocate General Mr. NDS Maan etc.