CM Mann pledges to eradicate drug menace, ensuring support for farmers

Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to wipe out the curse of drugs from the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that no one involved in this heinous crime is being spared and severest of severe action is being taken against them.

Interacting with the media persons here at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that contrary to the previous regimes, when the ministers used to sell the drugs, none of the persons from the ruling dispensation is involved in this atrocious crime. He categorically said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the drug menace and no one indulging in this crime against humanity is being spared today. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even the black sheep amongst the law enforcing agencies are being identified, and the severest of severe action will be taken against them.

The Chief Minister said that as a result of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh the campaign which has been launched against drug menace, several villages of the state have been made drug free. He said that this fight will continue till an ounce of drug is present in the state and every effort is being made to make Punjab free from this scourge. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will not rest until the war against drugs is won.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that it is ironic that the farmer unions are worried about having a debate with him whereas he is concerned about safeguarding the interests of the farmers. He said that paddy transplantation has already begun in the state and the Punjab government has made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to ensure the well being of the farmers and no stone will be left unturned for it.

The Chief Minister also quipped that seeking votes on the name of Operation Sindoor will hardly help the BJP as people will not get swayed away with the tactics of the saffron party. He said that these are mere theatrics and the wise people of the state and country will never fall prey to it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is ironic that the BJP and Union government is sending Sindoor in every household without any logic.

The Chief Minister said that during a recent meeting of the NITI aayog he had asked the Central Government to set up colleges and industries in border areas. He said that it is imperative to give major push to the development of the border districts of the state that had lagged behind due to several reasons. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he has also flagged the issue of problems being faced by the farmers of the state having their land between the International border and the fence.

The chief minister reiterated that the state has no spare water to share with any other state adding that even a single drop of water will not be given to anyone. He said that most of the blocks of the state are overexploited and the groundwater situation in the state is very grim. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as most of the river resources of the state have dried up, it needs more water to cater to its irrigation needs.

The Chief Minister said that as the level of water is changing frequently, every water agreement should be reviewed after every 25 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is a landlocked border state that has already overexploited its only available natural resources in terms of water and fertile soil to feed the country. He said that the earlier leaders of Punjab had backstabbed the people on several issues by giving importance to their own interests over that of the state.

The Chief Minister reiterated the demand for reconstitution of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to ensure justice to the state. He said that 3000 posts of Punjab’s quota have not been deliberately filled by BBMB so as to weaken the state's claim over the waters. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that momentum will be made for filling these posts at earliest so that interests of the state can be safeguarded.