• SAYS NOT EVEN A GRAM OF ANY DRUG PRODUCED IN PUNJAB
• DEMANDS COMPLETE BAN ON CULTIVATION OF DRUGS IN OTHER STATES
• WANTS EFFECTIVE VIGIL ON INTERNATIONAL BORDER TO CHECK SMUGGLING OF DRUGS FROM PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN
• TERMS BAINS BROTHERS AS MISCHIEVOUS AND SELF CENTERED “TRADERS”
• COUNCILLOR OF BAINS GROUP KAMALJIT SINGH KARWAL REJOINS AKALI DAL TODAY

NewZNew (Ludhiana) : Terming Punjab as a victim of narco terrorism, the Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that the political parties should stop politicising this issue just for the sake of it and should join the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP war against drugs so that the core issue could be raised at national as well as international level. He asserted that not even a gram of any drug is produced in Punjab and it is either coming from across the border or from neighbouring states.

He said that countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan are known for producing large quantities of drugs and sending it across to India as a part of their narco terrorism agenda meant to destabilise India. He felt sad on this fact that instead of supporting the Punjab government, some political parties are politicising the issue. He said that Punjab is fighting a war against drugs for not only saving the youth of Punjab, but youth of entire country.

He said that drugs smuggled into Punjab from Pakistan or Afghanistan are not meant for Punjab only, but they are meant for supply in other parts of the country as well as other countries too. He said that if the Punjab Police busts any gang involved in smuggling of drugs or if drugs are confiscated in the Punjab, rest of the nation should thank us.

While commenting on awareness programmes of Shiromani Akali Dal over the issue of smuggling of drugs, he said that a serious conspiracy has been hatched to defame Punjab on drug issue and demanded that there was great need to ensure greater vigilance at the international border to stop inflow of drugs into Punjab besides a complete ban on cultivation and sale of opium and poppy husk in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other  states. He said every political party has its way of working and said that their coalition partner would be holding such awareness rallies from January 22 onwards and said that if they invite him, he would visit their rallies too.

He said that he has requested Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi to take this issue seriously so that Punjab does not get tagged as a state of drug addicts because Punjabi youth have always been known from courage and bravery. He said that Punjab Police has busted several drug modules in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, besides several others and that thousands of people involved in drug trade have been jailed.

He mentioned that some states involved in legal sale of drugs even mention it as “income” in their annual budgets, which is sad. He said that there cannot be two set of laws for two states in the same country.

Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal was in city to attend a function organised by Independent councillor from Bains group, Mr Kamaljit Singh Karwal, who joined the Shiromani Akali Dal today. Taking a dig at Bains brothers-Independent MLA’s Mr Balwinder Singh Bains and Mr Simarjit Singh Bains, the deputy CM said that both the brothers are basically mischievous, self centered and power greedy “traders”. He said that the Bains brothers have always used the Akali Dal as a tool.

While addressing the gathering, the Deputy CM recalled how the Bains brothers ditched him during the Vidhan Sabha as well as the Lok Sabha elections. He said that instead of standing by their party, they always wanted to strike deals two days before the 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections and then again in Lok Sabha elections for their personal benefits.

He said that the Shiromani Akali Dal is now only focussed about overall development of the state. He said that Punjab has already become power surplus and within next few months, all main roads of the state would be either four-laned or six-laned. He said to within next few months, all villages and cities of Punjab will have 4G internet connectivity and once the project is complete, Punjab would become first such state in the country.

He also announced that very soon, Ludhiana will have ultra modern and economical BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) in place of Ludhiana Metro Rail project. He said that it was after consultation with international experts, the Punjab government has now decided to introduce BRTS in place of Metro Rail. He also said that some other states have also shelved the Metro Rail projects and have adopted BRTS.

He also said that for the redressal of problems of traders and industrialists, a meeting has been fixed for next week and said that all their issues and problems would be resolved.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Advisor to CM Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, MLAs Mr Manpreet Singh Ayali, Mr Ranjit Singh Dhillon, Mr Darshan Singh Shivalik, Mayor Mr Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, SAD district president-1 Mr Madan Lal Bagga, SAD District President-2 Mr Harbhajan Singh Dang, councillor Mr Jagbir Singh Sokhi, besides several others.

Later the Deputy CM visited the house of Jathedar Ujagar Singh Chhapa in Dashmesh Nagar, here, who passed away some time back. While interacting with his son Mr Jaswant Singh Chhapa and wife, he said that Jathedar Chhapa was a true Akali from heart.