Phagwara: Soliciting the whole hearted support of Government of India (GoI) for checking the flow of drugs in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that need of the hour was to evolve such a mechanism that should disallow entry of even 10 grams of narcotics in the state.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion to felicitate various organizations by the Sri Ram Naumi Utsav Committee here today, the Chief Minister said that the curse of drugs was the biggest problem faced by the country in general and state in particular. He said that the only solution for checking this menace was to totally cut down the supply line of drugs both from within the country and from abroad. Mr. Badal said that serious efforts must be initiated for sealing the border apart from desisting the neighboring states of Punjab to openly sell drugs like Poppy husk.
Exhorting all the political parties of the state to join hands against this grave menace, the Chief Minister said that it was not the time to play dirty politics on this issue by spitting venom against each other but all the political parties should work collectively to check this problem. He said that on its part the state government has been making stupendous efforts for checking this problem by cracking down heavily on drug peddlers besides setting up drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers for the addicts. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that as unemployment was the biggest reason of drug addiction so a network of skill centers was being set up for enabling the youth to get self employed.
Expressing concern over the declining morality in the society, the Chief Minister said that the main reason for it was that the people have forgotten the path shown by the great Gurus, prophets, saints and seers. He said that the need of the hour was to uphold the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood by spreading the message of love and compassion, as preached by every religion. Mr. Badal called upon the people to rise above the parochial considerations of caste, creed and religion to establish true ‘Ram Raj’ in the country.
Recalling the immense contribution of Sri Ram Naumi Utsav Committee in religious and social field, the Chef Minister lauded the President of Committee and Chief Editor of Hind Samachar Newspaper group Mr. Vijay Chopra for taking this initiative to bring people on a single platform. Describing Mr. Chopra as an institution, Mr. Badal said that he was playing a pivotal role in uniting the social fabric of the nation. He also congratulated the Committee for organizing this mega event to perpetuate the glorious legacy of Lord Sri Ram, who taught the people about what an ideal ruler, son, father, husband or person was.
On the occasion the Chief Minister also honored eminent persons and societies.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar and Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. KD Bhandari and Mr. Som Parkash, MLA Mr. Pargat Singh, former Minister Master Mohan Lal, Chairman Markfed Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid and Deputy Commissioner Mr. DS Mangat.
