Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday made a fervent appeal to the people of the state to rise above party level and support the state government in its ongoing drive against drugs.
Addressing the gathering after administering oath of fight against drugs to them, the Chief Minister said that war against drug has to be transformed into a mass movement for which people should not work as per political affiliations. He said that it is pivotal to make Punjab a drug free state adding that it is the fight for the coming generations and it is the moral duty of everyone to support it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this fight will continue till the curse of drug is not wiped out.
The Chief Minister said that the bulldozer drive to demolish the properties of the drug smugglers will be continued till logical conclusion. He said that the action is being taken as per the law of land and it is aimed at ensuring that drug trade is given fatal blow. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this action will be further intensified so as to ensure that the drug is completely wiped out from the state.
The Chief Minister said that these big villages of the state were known for the big sports tournaments organized by the villagers. However, he said that due to the lackluster approach of the previous regimes these villages had transformed into den of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the bulldozer campaign was initiated from this village and then was spread in the entire state with the noble task of wiping out drugs.
The Chief Minister said that the war against drugs has been intensified and we will not rest until an ounce of drug was prevalent in the state. He said that the previous regimes had befooled the people of the state by patronizing the drug trade. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now his government is working tirelessly to save the generations of the state and no stone will be left unturned for this noble task.
The Chief Minister said that drug trade bloomed under Akali Dal, which was also responsible for the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He said that the Akali leaders are now paying for their sins as people have already ousted them from power and they are in political oblivion. Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that Congress gave corruption to state and Akalis patronized it similarly Akalis produced drug smugglers and Congress sheltered them.
The Chief Minister said that the insensitivity of these leaders towards Punjab and its people can be well gauged from the fact that when the entire Punjab was fighting for saving water of Punjab, these leaders preferred to remain mum. the Chief Minister said that the state government vehemently opposed the draconian move of centre, BBMB and Haryana government to steal waters of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his predecessors used to extend such largesse for their vested interests but as a custodian of waters of the state he will never allow this adding that as Punjab has upgraded its canal water system so now it requires water to cater to needs of the farmers of the state in wake of ensuing paddy season.
Soliciting fulsome support and cooperation of people in the war against drugs, the Chief Minister said that the scourge of drugs was a blot on the face of state and it took more than two years to the state government to chalk out strategy for wiping out this curse. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that subsequently the supply line of drugs was snapped, big fishes involved in these heinous crimes were put behind the bars, rehabilitation of the drug victims was ensured and even the property of the drug smugglers was confiscated and destroyed. He said that now the state government has launched war against drugs in form of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh the aim of which is to clean the state.
The Chief Minister said that it is heartening to see that a large number of women were participating in this function, which is a good sign. He said that if the women rise in such a big way to eliminate any menace then that it will be wiped out very soon. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far when the state will be completely drug free with the active participation of the women in the state.
The Chief Minister said that Punjabis are global citizens who have carved a niche for themselves in every corner of the world. He said given a chance the hard working, innovative and energetic Punjabis are now excelling in every arena. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with active support and cooperation people, the state government is laying thrust of carving out a Rangla Punjab and the war against drug is a part of it.
The Chief Minister said that contrary to earlier time when the leaders of the state used to jeopardize the interests of Punjab, the state government today is focusing on overall growth and prosperity of the state. He said that the earlier leaders were afraid of meeting the people whereas the state government today is interacting with the people and seeking their feedback. Bhagwant Singh Mann every effort will be made to safeguard the interests of the state and its people by making them an active partner in social economic development of the state.
The Chief Minister said that it is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction that more than 54000 jobs have been provided to the youth of the state. He said that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit, sans any corruption or nepotism. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is making the youth an active partner in the socioeconomic development of Punjab.
