Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that in the larger interest of the public the SAD-BJP government would soon review the imposition of the Property Tax in the state. Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the death anniversary of Baba Prem Singh Muraalewale here today, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP government was committed for the overall development of the state and the prosperity of its people. He said that the decision to levy Property Tax in the urban areas was the collective decision of the Cabinet of SAD-BJP alliance government in the state. However, Mr. Badal said that if there was some sort of resentment over the decision of the state government then they were duty bound to review it. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to make Punjab a ‘Drug free state’, the Chief Minister said that the state government would leave no stone unturned in checking the menace of drugs in the state. He said that the state government was working on dual policy of checking the drug peddling along with carrying out a massive program of drug de-addiction in the state, to bring back the drug addicted youth in the main stream.
Badal also announced that the state government would provide free medicines to the drug addicted youth in de-addiction centers so as to ensure that they shun the drugs forever. Declaring a ‘War against Drug’ in the state, the Chief Minister said that anyone howsoever affluent he was, would not be spared in this drive against the drug menace. Mr. Badal said that if the proof was found against any politician of the state involved in this crime then he or she would be put behind the bars by taking appropriate legal action against them. “We will take action against every big or small fish engaged in this heinous crime and even I will not hesitate to resign from my post if any proof regarding my involvement in drugs is found” he added. Soliciting the support of people, NGOs and even media in this war against Drugs, the Chief Minister said that this was a high time when all of them should extend support to the state government for eliminating the drugs from the state.
Badal said that the state government would try its level best for channelizing the unbounded energy of the youth in positive works so as to wean away the menace of drugs from the state. He said that the state government has taken path breaking initiatives in checking the drug supply in Punjab adding that no other government in the country had taken such steps to control drugs in the past. On a query regarding the statement of state BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma regarding the involvement of some political leaders in drug trade, the Chief Minister said that the state BJP President should have submitted the list of these politicians to him so that a strict action was taken against them. Mr. Badal said that he was scheduled to meet the state BJP Chief very soon during which he would ask him to provide information regarding this matter. “If Mr. Sharma is aware of the names of politicians involved in this crime then he must submit the list of these leaders to me so that necessary action can be taken against them” he added. Later on the Chief Minister, while addressing a mammoth gathering, paid rich tributes to Baba Prem Singh Ji Muraalewale and recalled the marvelous services rendered by him. He also lauded the role played by Baba Ji in the religious, educational and social field.The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Bibi Jagir Kaur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Mohinder Kaur Josh, former MLA and Chairman of District Planning Committee Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Makkar, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Deputy Commissioner Mr. DS Mangat.