Only drug trade flourishing in Punjab, says Rahul
Monday, 13/06/2016
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/community/only-drug-trade-flourishing-in-punjab-says-rahul/251058.html
Jalandhar : Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday slammed the SAD-BJP government in the state for the drug menace saying the only trade flourishing in Punjab is the drug trade.
Gandhi said the party would curb the menace in a month in case it was voted to power.
Gandhi was in the city for a protest dharna against the rampant drug abuse in the state.
The Congress vice-president who, accompanied by senior party leader Sunil Jakhar, arrived late by an hour and a half, instead of moving on to the stage, first went to the enclosure where party workers were sitting and greeted them before sitting among them on the ground.
Accusing the Akalis of protecting the drug business in Punjab, he said, “Akalis mocked me when I said drugs are destroying Punjab’s future.”
“If the Congress comes to power, the drug problem would be curbed in a month as we intend to give more powers to the police,” he said.
Referring to the current controversy surrounding ‘Udta Punjab’, Gandhi said, “Movies are being banned. They have banned ‘Udta Punjab’. They still don’t want to accept the reality.” The Congress vice-president said the drug menace could be eliminated only if the police are given more power.
“There are good police officers in Punjab Police who want to work but the state government isn’t giving them required freedom to function. We intend to give more powers to the police,” he added.
Party leaders slammed Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for the drug menace and transport business.
Senior party leaders, including Capt Amarinder Singh, Harish Chaudhary, Partap Singh Bajwa, Charanjit Channi, Ambika Soni, Lal Singh, Manpreet Badal, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Ravneet Bittu were present on the occasion. Senior party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was conspicuous by her absence.
