Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that drug menace was hardly any issue in the coming Delhi Assembly polls despite the malicious propaganda unleashed by the opposition to defame the Punjabis and tarnish state’s image.Terming that drugs menace in the state was hardly any issue in the ensuing Delhi polls, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that it was infact the malicious propaganda unleashed by the opposition to defame the Punjabis.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the Sangat Darshan program of the Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister categorically said that the state government has taken unprecedented steps to check the supply of drugs from across the border and for making Punjab a drug free state. He said that drug problem in the state was neither an issue in Punjab nor in Delhi but it was being blown out of proportion by the opposition under a deep rooted conspiracy to tarnish the image of hard working Punjabis.
Asked to comment on the strategy of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for contesting the Delhi polls, the Chief Minister said that SAD President and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal was camping in Delhi to formulate the plan for contesting these polls. He said that the party would be contesting these polls as per the program given by the party leadership. Mr. Badal further said that the entire rank and file of the party was fully prepared for contesting the ensuing elections and he would also campaign in Delhi as per the duty assigned by the party.On a query regarding the seat arrangement between SAD-BJP alliance in these polls, the Chief Minister reiterated that it was hardly any issue and the top brass of both the parties would finalize it soon. Mr. Badal said that decision of BJP to contest elections under leadership of Mrs. Kiran Bedi was the prerogative of the party.
Earlier addressing the gatherings during Sangat Darshan in village Lohara, Ghumiara, Chak Middu Singh Wala, Vanwaala and Khoewali, the Chief Minister exhorted the villagers to unite for the cause of development of their respective villages. Mr. Badal said that the people should sink their differences and rise above the parochial considerations to contribute towards the progress and prosperity of their villages in general and the state in particular. He assured fulsome support and cooperation to the villagers for this noble cause.The Chief Minister further said that the state government was committed to provide basic civic amenities in all the villages across the state. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that the state government would leave no stone unturned for ensuring all-round development of the state and prosperity of its people. He said that the SAD-BJP government was taking due care towards ensuring the well being of the disadvantaged sections of the society for which a number of welfare schemes like Atta-Dal, Mai Bhago Istri Vidya, Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna and others have been launched.
Highlighting the significance of the Sangat Darshan program, the Chief Minister said that it was the solution of all the problems of the people under a single roof. Mr. Badal said that Sangat Darshan was the flagship program of the SAD-BJP government and its sole aim was to mitigate the woes of people by direct interface with the administrative machinery. He further said that Punjab was the only state in the country to take this unique initiative for facilitating the general public.The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr KJS Cheema, Chairman Punjab Agro Food Grains Corporation Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Chairman Mr. Tejinder Singh Middukhera, OSD to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Avtar Singh Vanwalla, Director Punjab Tube Well Corporation Mr. Harmesh Singh Khuddian, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Amar Singh Chahal and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh.