IEP Chandigarh, February 3
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday asked the Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police, to further accelerate three pronged strategy of ‘Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention’ for making Punjab a drug free state. Chairing a review meeting with the officers here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat, the Chief Minister said that area–specific strategy should be tailored to each police station area/locality/village for effective enforcement. He said that appropriate action should be taken against colluding police officials/government officials to break any nexus with drug traffickers and property of drug traffickers should be confiscated under the provisions of the NDPS act, 1985. Bhagwant Mann also asked the officers to ensure that provisions of preventive detention under PITNDPS act 1988 is implemented along with tracing the forward and backward linkages in the supply chain through proper investigation of each recovery of illicit drugs. He also asked the officers to ensure capacity building of IOs /GOs to effectively implement NDPS act by conducting regular training and workshops. The Chief Minister also asked the officers to ensure proper rehabilitation and treatment of the victims of drug menace. He said that emphasis must be given on outpatient treatment based on harm reduction, medication, counselling and peer support along with effective implementation of DAPO and Buddy program should be ensured. Bhagwant Mann said that the medical infrastructure in form of 528 Outpatient Opioid assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinic (including 17 in central jails), 36 Government De-addiction centres, 19 Government Rehabilitation centres, 185 Private De-addiction centres and 75 private Rehabilitation centres must be judiciously utilised for wiping out this menace. The Chief Minister also asked the officers to intensify action against promotion of gun culture in the state. He said that 167 FIRs have so far been registered for glorification of weapons in the state and 1.77 lakh weapons have been verified out of the total 4.38 lakh in the state. However, Bhagwant Mann underlined more strenuous efforts by the officers in this regard adding that the officers must complete the verification process at the earliest. The Chief Minister said that the state government has already launched a major crackdown against gangsters in the state and the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) headed by an ADGP Rank officer had been formed. He said that so far over 503 gangsters, two have been neutralized, and over 138 criminal modules have been busted. 481 weapons and 106 vehicles used by these criminals have been recovered. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the officers at the district headquarters should further intensify this action and ensure that organized crime is curbed in the state. The Chief Minister, while reiterating zero tolerance policy against corruption in the state, asked the Deputy Commissioners to hold monthly meetings with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Vigilance. He said that Deputy Commissioners should ensure that the due process of law is followed so that the case reaches a logical end. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is duty bound to ensure that the corrupt elements get the due punishment for their sinister acts. Dwelling on another Chief Minister, ask the officers to ensure that work for starting construction of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra National Highway is put on fast-track mode. He said that this is an ambitious project, which once completed, will save time, money and energy of commuters travelling from Delhi to Punjab and Jammu-Kashmir especially those desirous of paying obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Bhagwant Mann said that the 254 kilometer long highway will be constructed at a cost Rs 11,510 crore and will pass through nine districts of the state viz. Jalandhar, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Patiala, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur. The Chief Minister also said that the officers will be made accountable for any sort of illegal mining being carried out in areas under their jurisdiction. He said that strict action should be taken against those involved in this heinous crime. Bhagwant Mann said that DCs and SSPs must make sure this illegal activity is curbed across the state. The Chief Minister also asked the officers to oversee the functioning of the Aam Aadmi Clinics to impart quality treatment to the people. He also said that adequate focus should also be laid on the ‘schools of eminence’ being started across the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is according top priority for development of these two sectors in Punjab. The Chief Minister also directed officers to maximize their field visits and interactions with the people by going to villages. He said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people in getting their day-to-day works done easily besides ensuring good governance to them. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in better functioning of the offices along with better acquaintance with the ground realities. The Chief Minister also asked the officers to make sure that needy people get the benefit of ambitious Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme. He said that this scheme envisages a 100 days job to people on one hand besides acting as a catalyst in the development of the villages on the other. Bhagwant Mann said that implemented in right earnest this scheme could further propel the pace of comprehensive development of the villages.
