Fight against drugs must be people’s movement: Haryana CM

Fazilka, Sep 21 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said Punjab was once known for its prosperity, vibrancy and hardworking youth. Still, today the drug menace has emerged as a major challenge to the future of its young generation.  

He stressed that turning the campaign against drugs into a people’s movement is the need of the hour.

Addressing a gathering after joining the fourth phase of the Nasha Mukti Yatra in Fazilka, Saini said the fight against drugs is not a political party's fight, but a fight to save the youth and future generations.

He said the Yatra, which began on September 18, will continue till September 30 and cover around 4,000 km across all 117 Assembly constituencies of Punjab.

Saini added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is fighting the drug menace with determination and every section of society should ensure its participation in this campaign.

Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party government, he said it had promised to eradicate drugs within six months. Still, the problem remains serious even as the government enters the final phase of its tenure. He also said the government had not fulfilled its promises to employ youth.

Saini recalled that when industrialists from Punjab met him at his residence in Chandigarh and expressed their desire to set up industries in Haryana, he advised them to establish industries in Punjab itself to provide employment opportunities to the youth there. He claimed that the people of Punjab had made up their minds for change and that the coming time would belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Highlighting Haryana’s governance, Saini said the state government has provided jobs to youth through a transparent system. He added that he meets many people at his residence daily and works to resolve their problems. He said the Haryana Government has fulfilled 70 of the 217 commitments made before the elections and has advanced several schemes for the welfare of women, farmers, people with low incomes and youth.

He emphasised that the fight against drugs cannot be confined to law enforcement alone. Treatment, rehabilitation, sports and employment opportunities must also be taken forward simultaneously. He said Haryana is providing free treatment facilities at de-addiction centres, while special emphasis is being laid on connecting youth with sports and other positive activities.

--IANS

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