Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today termed the re-opening of poppy vends in Rajasthan as unfortunate after the Supreme Court had earlier ordered its closure across the state. He said that in a democratic country two different laws cannot exist on same issue and that the Punjab government was exploring legal angles in this situation.Addressing media persons after foundation stone laying ceremony of the Central University of Punjab at village Ghudda in Bathinda he said Punjab is victim of wrong policies on dealing with the drug addiction issue. Reiterating the fact that drugs weren't produced in Punjab in any form, the deputy CM laid emphasis on need to have uniform policy against drugs in state.
Answering a media query on the issue of white fly pest attack, the deputy CM said the affected cotton farmers will very soon get compensation for the losses incurred due to the pest attack. He also added that strict action will be taken against the companies selling spurious pesticides to vulnerable farmers and no one would be spared.He informed that in order to provide more job opportunities to the people of Punjab, the state was soon going to advertise around one lac jobs soon in various departments. He said with the filling of these vacancies not only the youngsters will get job opportunities, albeit it will also accelerate development in the state.Mr Badal announced that on the lines of meritorious school for poor and needy students, he would propose setting up of meritorious colleges for these students so that they can pursue their higher education. Among others Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg, SSP Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti, ADC (G) Sumit Jarangal, ADC (D) Varinder Sharma, SDM Bathinda Damanjit Singh Maan were also present.