Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday emphasized the state government’s intensified efforts to combat the drug menace, stating that multiple properties of alleged drug traffickers have been demolished as part of a firm crackdown.
Addressing the Punjab Assembly on the first day of the Budget Session, Governor Kataria said, “Under the ongoing crusade against drugs in the form of ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh,’ a special focus has been placed on breaking the economic chain in the entire drug network.”
Punjab’s War Against Drugs
To strengthen this campaign, a high-powered Cabinet sub-committee, led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has been established. Additionally, the Special Task Force (STF) has been restructured and reinforced as the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) to ensure effective enforcement of drug laws, rehabilitation of victims, and prevention of substance abuse.
The Anti-Gangster Task Force and field units have also achieved significant progress in curbing organized crime, the governor said. Their efforts have led to the arrest of 1,588 criminals, the neutralization of 13 gangsters, the dismantling of 571 criminal modules, and the recovery of 1,477 weapons and 327 vehicles used in crimes.
Crackdown on Economic Offenders and Corruption
Governor Kataria further stated that 386 criminal cases have been registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), involving 957 government officials and private individuals. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has also arrested 826 accused in corruption cases, securing convictions for 132 individuals.
Agricultural Policy and Healthcare Initiatives
The Punjab government has formed an 11-member committee to develop an agricultural policy that aligns with the state’s environment, culture, and crop patterns. The policy aims to promote sustainable farming, conserve natural resources, and enhance farmers’ incomes.
On the healthcare front, the governor highlighted that 881 ‘Aam Aadmi Clinics’ are operational in Punjab, serving 2.98 crore patients and conducting over 90 lakh diagnostic tests to date. He added that medicines worth ₹600 crore and diagnostic tests worth ₹100 crore have been provided free of cost to patients.
Looking ahead, the government plans to spend ₹200 crore on medicines and consumables in government hospitals in the financial year 2025-26. A comprehensive plan is also in place to upgrade district hospitals over the next three years.
State’s Commitment to Reforms
The governor’s address underscored Punjab’s commitment to eliminating the drug trade, tackling corruption, boosting healthcare, and reforming agriculture. The government’s aggressive actions, including demolishing drug traffickers’ properties, strengthening law enforcement, and expanding public health services, signal a firm stance on governance and public welfare.
Sources By Agencies