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Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Jarnails who patronised drug trade are behind bars, will pay for their sins: Mann
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Saturday said his government would ensure 'exemplary punishment' for those responsible for ruining the lives of the state's youth through drug trafficking. 'The 'Jarnails' who patronised drug trade have already been put behind bars and exemplary punishment will be ensured for those who ruin the youths by selling them narcotic substances. No one had previously dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now they will pay the price for their sins,' Mann said. Speaking at an event held to dedicate Rs 350 crore worth of road and library projects to the residents of Amritsar, Mann that Punjab government has launched the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign to combat the drug menace and to channel the boundless energy of the youth in a positive direction. 'The state cannot remain a silent spectator while smugglers flourish at the cost of victims,' he said, adding that the drug supply lines have been disrupted and several key figures arrested. 'For the first time, illegally acquired properties of drug smugglers are being confiscated or demolished,' he said. Mann also announced a Rs 3,500-crore road infrastructure project covering 19,000 km of link roads. He accused the Union government of withholding Rs 6,000 crore of Punjab's share in the Rural Development Fund (RDF). 'If the funds were released, every road in Punjab could be constructed,' he said. Mann said past governments imposed taxes on vehicles transporting holy scriptures, which his administration has since abolished. 'Punjab enjoys peace, harmony, and unity, which are essential for development,' he said. The Chief Minister stated that investment worth over Rs 1 lakh crore had been secured in the last three years. 'These investments are backed by Punjab's infrastructure, skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment,' he said. Joint committee to resolve biogas plant issue in Akhara village: CM Ludhiana: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Saturday announced the formation of a joint committee of villagers and experts to find a permanent solution for setting up a biogas plant in Akhara village of Ludhiana district. A decision to this effect was taken after CM met a delegation led by Gurtej Singh, representative of the Akhara Sangharsh Committee. Mann said the panel will consider each and every concern raised by the villagers and after thorough examination, submit its recommendations, upon which the government will take necessary action. He said the panel will submit its report within the scheduled timeframe.
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
From ‘Udta Punjab' to ‘Badalta Punjab': Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann vow to end drug menace at grassroots level
In a renewed push to make Punjab completely drug-free, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced that the war against drugs would now be fought at the village and street level, with the active involvement of the people. He said the AAP government had broken the backbone of the drug network and the day was not far when Punjab would emerge both drug-free and as a frontrunner among Indian states. Addressing a public gathering, Kejriwal lauded the Bhagwant Mann-led state government for the success of its campaign 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh'. He said that villages once known as drug hotspots were now transforming into drug-free zones, thanks to sustained efforts on the ground. 'Earlier, Bollywood made films about Punjab's drug problem. Today, youth from those very villages are excelling in sports,' he said. Kejriwal contrasted the present with previous regimes, alleging that earlier ministers had protected and even facilitated drug lords. 'Drugs were sold in government vehicles,' he claimed. 'Now, police are seizing narcotics by the quintal, and taking strict action. Over 10,000 drug smugglers have been arrested, including 8,500 'big fish'.' He said the fight against drugs came with personal risk. 'Drug smugglers are dreaded criminals, but we have taken action without fear. Even if we die, we will not let drugs survive in Punjab. The AAP leader added that the properties of drug traffickers were being confiscated and destroyed. With Yudh Nasheyan Virudh now becoming a mass movement, he called on people to join the fight. 'This campaign will reach all 13,000 villages of Punjab. Ground-level interactions will be held across the state.' Kejriwal also announced that to channel the energy of the youth, a stadium would be built in every village and 3,000 gyms would be constructed in larger villages to promote sports. He added that 54,000 government jobs were already given to youths and the government was working on a plan to ensure employment in every village. Later in the day, Kejriwal and Mann jointly launched the Nasha Mukti Yatra from Langroya village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district — a symbolic move in the state's anti-drug campaign. Langroya, which has declared itself drug-free, was hailed by Mann as a model for other villages. Administering an oath to residents to stay drug-free and support others in rehabilitation, Mann said that wiping out the drug menace required collective effort. Under the campaign, gram sabhas are being organised in 351 villages daily — three per Assembly constituency — to raise awareness, encourage the use of de-addiction centres, and aid rehabilitation. The chief minister said the state government had taken time to build a thorough strategy. 'We have disrupted supply chains, arrested major traffickers, rehabilitated victims, and seized drug-related assets,' he said. 'Langroya's success must be replicated across the state.' Mann praised the strong participation of women at the event, calling it a hopeful sign. 'When women rise against a menace, its end is inevitable,' he said. 'The day is not far when Punjab will be completely drug-free.' Touching on wider developmental goals, Mann said the government was committed to improving education and health infrastructure. 'Earlier, sending children to government schools was a compulsion; now it's a choice,' he said, pointing to the establishment of Schools of Eminence across the state. He also said that Punjab needed to retain its water to meet the demands of the upcoming paddy season. Referring to the SYL canal issue, Mann reiterated that Punjab did not have a drop of water to spare. 'Previous governments gave away our resources for personal gain. We are here to protect them.' Asserting that the youth are now active partners in the state's development, Mann said, 'All 54,000 jobs have been given purely on merit. No bribes, no nepotism.' He concluded by urging all Punjabis to walk in the footsteps of the state's great gurus, saints, and martyrs. 'They taught us to fight injustice. This crusade against drugs is our way of honouring their legacy.'
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Fighting drugs in border state: Nursing colleges in Punjab support govt to expand de-addiction facilities
1 2 Chandigarh: In a major boost to Punjab's ongoing fight against drugs – Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, nursing colleges and their affiliated hospitals across the state have extended support to the Punjab govt in enhancing de-addiction facilities across the many as 42 nursing colleges have come forward to join the state's efforts to combat substance initiative aims to expand treatment infrastructure by encouraging private institutions to establish substance use disorder treatment centres at their premises through a structured memorandum of understanding (MoU).During a meeting chaired by health minister Dr Balbir Singh, the participating institutions expressed their willingness to contribute by incorporating their available beds under the vital campaign to help bring victims of substance abuse into the of private nursing colleges and their affiliated hospitals, as well as private hospitals, participated in the meeting. Principal secretary, health, Kumar Rahul; secretary, health-cum-nodal officer for the anti-drug campaign, Basant Garg; director, health, Dr Hitinder Kaur; and assistant director, mental health, Dr Sandeep Bhola also attended the that private hospitals and medical colleges also volunteered to establish over 1,200 beds for the mission, the health minister exhorted more such institutions to join the Punjab govt's fight against drugs by ramping up the de-addiction treatment facilities at their Punjab govt proposed an attractive support system for institutions willing to join the mission. Eligible institutes will receive one-time infrastructure assistance of up to Rs 20,000 per bed (subject to verification by the district de-addiction and rehabilitation society). Besides, this operational cost of Rs 1,500 per bed per day, based on actual patient occupancy, will also be reimbursed following the verification, said an official."This public-private partnership model ensures that quality de-addiction services reach more people without financial barriers," said Dr Balbir Singh. He emphasised that with Punjab currently having only a limited number of de-addiction beds (both govt and private), the state urgently needed more facilities to accommodate the growing number of individuals seeking help amidst the ongoing drive against the key responsibilities, the minister said participating institutions would be required to set up standardised treatment centres which should have air-conditioned wards, functional toilets, RO water, counselling rooms, multipurpose halls, and medical equipment, besides ensuring nutritious and hygienic meals and 24X7 staffing with qualified professionals, including doctors, counsellors, and support staff.
