Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh Criticizes Punjab Government's Approach to Drug Menace
In a strongly worded press conference held in Jalandhar on Tuesday, Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh launched a scathing attack on the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for their perceived failure in tackling the state's drug crisis. Singh revealed that he had received an invitation to join Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's walk against drugs but declined to participate, stating his conscience did not permit it as such events serve no real purpose.
MLA Questions Efficacy of Awareness Walks, Demands Concrete Action
Rana Gurjit Singh argued that the time for mere awareness campaigns against drugs passed over 15 years ago. He emphasized that the current situation demands decisive action and accountability from both the Punjab and Central governments. "The time has come for decisive action," he asserted, calling on the governor to move beyond symbolic walks and instead question the state administration on its policies and engage with the Union government to address cross-border drug trafficking issues.
Singh Lambasts AAP Leadership Over Unfulfilled Promises
The Congress MLA did not mince words when criticizing Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. He accused them of completely failing to deliver on their promises, particularly regarding drug eradication. Singh remarked that the chief minister should be "ashamed of the miserable failure" after four years in power. He reminded Kejriwal of his past statement where he claimed that a government not complicit with drug mafias could take concrete action within three to four months, highlighting the gap between rhetoric and reality.
Governor's Walk Draws Political Figures Amid Controversy
Singh's comments coincided with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's foot march against drugs in Ferozepur district, which saw the participation of notable figures including Dera Beas chief Gurinder Singh Dhillon, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, and Punjab BJP President Ashwani Sharma. Despite this high-profile turnout, Singh dismissed the event as a spectacle, arguing that without apprehending the "big fishes" in the drug trade, eliminating drugs from Punjab remains impossible.
Link Between Unemployment and Drug Abuse Highlighted
Beyond criticizing the government's efforts, Rana Gurjit Singh reiterated the need for an industrial package for Punjab to combat unemployment, which he identified as a key factor driving youth towards drug abuse. "It is also a fact that unemployment is one of the key reasons youth fall into drugs. Until the energy of our young people is positively channelled and they are provided with employment opportunities, it will be very difficult to eliminate this social evil," he explained, connecting economic issues with the drug crisis.
Singh concluded by urging the Punjab governor to fulfill his constitutional duties by holding the state government accountable and facilitating discussions with the central authorities to address the multifaceted drug problem effectively.
