Special Task Force to curb drug menace in Punjab: Amarinder

Monday, 13/03/2017

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Chandigarh/Patiala : Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday asserted that his government will form a ‘Special Task Force’ to curb the drug menace in Punjab, while making the state more investor-friendly.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him full cooperation for the development of the state.

Winning 77 of the 117 state assembly seats, the Amarinder Singh-led Congress had stormed to power in Punjab riding a strong anti-incumbency wave against the ruling SAD-BJP combine and warding off a spirited challenge by newcomer AAP.

On the vexed issue of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Amarinder said it was important to see the quantum of water available with Punjab.

“When Punjab does not have enough water, the question of giving it to other states does not arise,” he said.

He said Punjab has 60 per cent of agrarian land with just eight MAF (million acre-feet) water, while Haryana with 40 per cent of agriculture land has 12 MAF water.

The Congress’ chief ministerial candidate said he was committed to fulfil all the promises made by the party in its election manifesto.

“The Congress-led state government will create an investor-friendly environment in the state. We will make the state’s industrial policy more liberal,” he asserted, adding many top industrialists were in touch with him to set up their units in Punjab.

He said a Special Task Force (STF) will be set up to tackle the state’s drug problem.

Amarinder maintained that there was a new wave in favour of Congress in the country.

Commenting on newcomer AAP’s showing in the state polls, the senior Congress leader said, “AAP’s bubble has burst”.

“There was no wave of AAP in Punjab. The party’s hype was only on social media,” he said.

The senior Congress leader also pointed out the “absence of a regional figure in AAP”, adding that it was the reason behind its drubbing in the state polls.

Calling for a “bigger role for regional leaders in states”, Amarinder said it was vital to project a regional face who could identify with the people.

On being asked whether his party would indulge in political vendetta against the Badals, he said, “We will not work with political vendetta against opponents.”

Amarinder also promised to bring reforms in the state police department. “There is a financial problem in Punjab, but we are not afraid...we will ensure that poll promises are fulfilled. We will work day and night to bring Punjab back on track,” he said.

No vendetta politics of any sort: Captain

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh has ruled out vendetta politics by his government soon after winning the Vidhan Sabha elections with a landslide victory. He said proper investigations would be conducted to pin responsibility in drugs and other crimes, and suitable action will be taken against those found guilty.

He further assured early execution of all election promises, including elimination of the drugs menace within four weeks after assuming the CM’s. Capt Amarinder Singh also underlined the importance of setting up more rehabilitation and de-addiction centres, as well as appointment of more psychiatrists, to tackle the drugs problem across the state.

The industrial policy of the state would be liberalised to check the flight of industries and make Punjab an attractive destination for them said Captain while disclosing that several leading industrialists had been in touch with him and evinced interest in investing here.

Global tenders would soon be floated to procure smartphones, as promised under the Captain Smart Connect programme launched ahead of the polls, said Captain Amarinder in response to a question. He emphasised the importance of improving the state’s health and education systems on priority basis.

On the way forward on the SYL issue, the PPCC chief stressed the need to first ascertain the quantum of water available to the state.

Asserting that the very premise of the formation of Haryana in 1966 under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, with its lopsided distribution of water, needed to be challenged, Captain Amarinder said his government would work on this.