The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, June 9
The Cabinet Sub-Committee on ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) on Monday took significant decisions to establish robust arrangements for the treatment of drug addicts. This crucial step comes as the ongoing campaign successfully disrupts drug supply lines, leading to a notable increase in individuals seeking treatment.
The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, and attended by Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Dr. Balbir Singh, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary Finance Krishan Kumar, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav, and Secretary Expenditure VN Zade, addressed the growing demand for de-addiction services by strengthening the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Recognizing the manifold increase in drug addicts seeking treatment at government de-addiction centers and hospitals, the Sub-Committee has moved swiftly to expand capacity and enhance medical support. Decisions include the immediate recruitment of 200 psychologists on a temporary basis for six months, with the Health Department tasked to secure permanent recruitment in the interim. Additionally, psychiatrists will be empanelled across various districts as required, receiving Rs. 3000 for two hours daily, at a rate of Rs. 1500 per hour, to provide essential assistance to individuals striving to overcome addiction. The Sub-Committee has also directed the Health Department to submit a comprehensive proposal within a week for the recruitment of all necessary health staff.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, addressing a press conference after the meeting, detailed the expansion of basic infrastructure for the treatment of drug addicts. The number of beds in government hospitals and drug de-addiction centers has been increased by 1000. Furthermore, if the capacity of government centers is fully utilized, the services of private nursing institutes and de-addiction centers will be utilized for an additional 1000 beds, with the government bearing the associated costs.
The Finance Minister also provided an update on the stringent actions taken against drug trafficking as part of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign from March 1 to June 8. So far, 9580 cases have been registered under NDPS and 16348 persons have been arrested. Strict action has been taken against drug traffickers, leading to the demolition of properties belonging to 118 individuals involved in drug trade. During this period, significant quantities of illicit substances have been recovered, including 622 kg of heroin, 14976 kg of poppy husk, 252 kg of opium, 264 kg of ganja, and 26,49,847 narcotic pills.
Finance Minister Cheema emphasized that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign has transcended into a people’s movement, with citizens consistently providing information against drug traffickers, and drug addicts actively coming forward to seek treatment. He asserted that this collective cooperation, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, will ensure the state becomes completely drug-free.
Responding to media inquiries regarding doubts expressed by opposition parties about the campaign, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that drugs took root in Punjab during the Akali-BJP and Congress governments, making the youth vulnerable. He urged leaders of opposition parties to support this crucial campaign, rather than engaging in narrow politics that disregards public welfare and, conversely, promotes drug-related issues.
The cabinet Sub-Committee meeting, which lasted approximately an hour and a half, reviewed the actions taken so far during the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign and charted future strategies, said Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
