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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amid talk of differences over Congress inductions, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring says no internal differences
Chandigarh: Putting to rest speculation about unrest over the party revoking the suspension of Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday said there were no internal differences, and everyone was welcome in the party. Dismissing reports of discord within party ranks over the entry of leaders from other parties, Warring said there was no dissent. "Every party aims to expand its base and strengthen itself. The more people who join, the better it is," he said, responding to the recent inductions. On the upcoming Ludhiana West byelection, the PPCC president claimed that the Congress was ahead of rivals and expressed confidence that the party would win by a record margin. Warring reiterated his opposition to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's land pooling policy, warning it would lead to the destruction of Punjab's agrarian economy. Interacting with media after a meeting of constituency coordinators at the PPCC headquarters in Chandigarh, Warring said the policy was aimed merely at collecting money. He warned against acquiring 24,000 acres of agricultural land saying that it would destabilise the state's agricultural economy and, by extension, affect every section of society. "Punjab's entire economy—trade and industry—depends on agriculture. When you undermine the base, the entire economic edifice collapses," he said. He also criticised the govt for not taking stakeholders into confidence. He questioned the very need for such a policy when there was no apparent demand for additional residential or industrial plots. "When there is already an abundance of residential plots, where is the need to create more?" he asked. Responding to remarks by BJP state president Sunil Jakhar and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, Warring quipped: "The two of them are enough to sink the BJP's boat, just as they sank the Congress boat a few years ago." Commenting on a village reportedly putting itself up for sale due to the govt's failure to curb drug peddling, Warring remarked: "There can be no bigger slap on the face of the Punjab govt—and no greater proof of defeat in the so-called 'Yudh'—than an entire village putting itself up for sale while drug peddlers are having a field day."
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
From ‘Udta Punjab' to ‘Badalta Punjab': Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann vow to end drug menace at grassroots level
In a renewed push to make Punjab completely drug-free, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced that the war against drugs would now be fought at the village and street level, with the active involvement of the people. He said the AAP government had broken the backbone of the drug network and the day was not far when Punjab would emerge both drug-free and as a frontrunner among Indian states. Addressing a public gathering, Kejriwal lauded the Bhagwant Mann-led state government for the success of its campaign 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh'. He said that villages once known as drug hotspots were now transforming into drug-free zones, thanks to sustained efforts on the ground. 'Earlier, Bollywood made films about Punjab's drug problem. Today, youth from those very villages are excelling in sports,' he said. Kejriwal contrasted the present with previous regimes, alleging that earlier ministers had protected and even facilitated drug lords. 'Drugs were sold in government vehicles,' he claimed. 'Now, police are seizing narcotics by the quintal, and taking strict action. Over 10,000 drug smugglers have been arrested, including 8,500 'big fish'.' He said the fight against drugs came with personal risk. 'Drug smugglers are dreaded criminals, but we have taken action without fear. Even if we die, we will not let drugs survive in Punjab. The AAP leader added that the properties of drug traffickers were being confiscated and destroyed. With Yudh Nasheyan Virudh now becoming a mass movement, he called on people to join the fight. 'This campaign will reach all 13,000 villages of Punjab. Ground-level interactions will be held across the state.' Kejriwal also announced that to channel the energy of the youth, a stadium would be built in every village and 3,000 gyms would be constructed in larger villages to promote sports. He added that 54,000 government jobs were already given to youths and the government was working on a plan to ensure employment in every village. Later in the day, Kejriwal and Mann jointly launched the Nasha Mukti Yatra from Langroya village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district — a symbolic move in the state's anti-drug campaign. Langroya, which has declared itself drug-free, was hailed by Mann as a model for other villages. Administering an oath to residents to stay drug-free and support others in rehabilitation, Mann said that wiping out the drug menace required collective effort. Under the campaign, gram sabhas are being organised in 351 villages daily — three per Assembly constituency — to raise awareness, encourage the use of de-addiction centres, and aid rehabilitation. The chief minister said the state government had taken time to build a thorough strategy. 'We have disrupted supply chains, arrested major traffickers, rehabilitated victims, and seized drug-related assets,' he said. 'Langroya's success must be replicated across the state.' Mann praised the strong participation of women at the event, calling it a hopeful sign. 'When women rise against a menace, its end is inevitable,' he said. 'The day is not far when Punjab will be completely drug-free.' Touching on wider developmental goals, Mann said the government was committed to improving education and health infrastructure. 'Earlier, sending children to government schools was a compulsion; now it's a choice,' he said, pointing to the establishment of Schools of Eminence across the state. He also said that Punjab needed to retain its water to meet the demands of the upcoming paddy season. Referring to the SYL canal issue, Mann reiterated that Punjab did not have a drop of water to spare. 'Previous governments gave away our resources for personal gain. We are here to protect them.' Asserting that the youth are now active partners in the state's development, Mann said, 'All 54,000 jobs have been given purely on merit. No bribes, no nepotism.' He concluded by urging all Punjabis to walk in the footsteps of the state's great gurus, saints, and martyrs. 'They taught us to fight injustice. This crusade against drugs is our way of honouring their legacy.'
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Fighting drugs in border state: Nursing colleges in Punjab support govt to expand de-addiction facilities
1 2 Chandigarh: In a major boost to Punjab's ongoing fight against drugs – Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, nursing colleges and their affiliated hospitals across the state have extended support to the Punjab govt in enhancing de-addiction facilities across the many as 42 nursing colleges have come forward to join the state's efforts to combat substance initiative aims to expand treatment infrastructure by encouraging private institutions to establish substance use disorder treatment centres at their premises through a structured memorandum of understanding (MoU).During a meeting chaired by health minister Dr Balbir Singh, the participating institutions expressed their willingness to contribute by incorporating their available beds under the vital campaign to help bring victims of substance abuse into the of private nursing colleges and their affiliated hospitals, as well as private hospitals, participated in the meeting. Principal secretary, health, Kumar Rahul; secretary, health-cum-nodal officer for the anti-drug campaign, Basant Garg; director, health, Dr Hitinder Kaur; and assistant director, mental health, Dr Sandeep Bhola also attended the that private hospitals and medical colleges also volunteered to establish over 1,200 beds for the mission, the health minister exhorted more such institutions to join the Punjab govt's fight against drugs by ramping up the de-addiction treatment facilities at their Punjab govt proposed an attractive support system for institutions willing to join the mission. Eligible institutes will receive one-time infrastructure assistance of up to Rs 20,000 per bed (subject to verification by the district de-addiction and rehabilitation society). Besides, this operational cost of Rs 1,500 per bed per day, based on actual patient occupancy, will also be reimbursed following the verification, said an official."This public-private partnership model ensures that quality de-addiction services reach more people without financial barriers," said Dr Balbir Singh. He emphasised that with Punjab currently having only a limited number of de-addiction beds (both govt and private), the state urgently needed more facilities to accommodate the growing number of individuals seeking help amidst the ongoing drive against the key responsibilities, the minister said participating institutions would be required to set up standardised treatment centres which should have air-conditioned wards, functional toilets, RO water, counselling rooms, multipurpose halls, and medical equipment, besides ensuring nutritious and hygienic meals and 24X7 staffing with qualified professionals, including doctors, counsellors, and support staff.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amritsar hooch tragedy: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces ₹10 lakh relief for victims' kin
/Chandigarh Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday visited Marari Kalan village of Majitha sub-division to meet the kin of the hooch tragedy victims and announced a ₹10 lakh compensation each family. The CM also said that the government will provide all possible help to the families, bear the education expenses of the victims' children, and provide jobs. Interacting with media persons after meeting the families, the CM said such deaths are not merely accidents, but murders, which have been caused due to the greed of certain individuals. He added that the state government will ensure strict punishment to the culprits. Mann added that the spurious liquor business could not have been run without political, bureaucratic and police support. The CM said that no one, whether a politician or a government servant, will be spared if they are found complicit in the hooch deaths. Oppn hits out, questions govt's 'anti-drug' campaign Several Opposition leaders, including Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, SAD leader and former Majitha MLA Bikram Singh Majithia visited the grieving families of the victims before the CM reached the gurdwara to meeting the kin. Bajwa said, 'This is not the first incident in the three-year regime of the AAP. In March last year, eight people died after consuming illicit liquor in Dirba assembly segment of Sangrur. Notably, the Dirba assembly segment is being represented by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Sangrur is the home district of CM Mann.' 'CM Bhagwant Mann, you said the Majitha hooch tragedy couldn't happen without political, bureaucratic, or police support. I agree. But aren't you the head of all three? If there's complicity, accountability starts with you. Punjab doesn't need hollow statements. Charity begins at home,' the LoP wrote on X. 'This tragedy exposes the hollow claims of AAP's 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign,' he further stated, demanding the resignation of finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also demanded fixing of responsibility over the deaths, stating, 'In 2020, when a similar hooch tragedy took place in Tarn Taran, he (Mann) had sought the resignation of the excise minister and registration of murder charges against him. Now, CM should do the same.' MP Aujla said that real and branded liquor is sold at a higher price than the set rates, due to which the poor are forced to resort to cheap and chemically made liquor. Majithia said that nexus between ruling party leaders and drug mafia has been exposed once again. Talking to media after visiting grieving families, the SAD leader said the tragedy was the direct result of the nexus between Aam Aadmi Party leaders and the drug mafia. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar alleged that the liquor mafia, previously active in Delhi, is now thriving in Punjab, exploiting the poor. Jakhar alleged that the same people who crafted Delhi's liquor policy influenced Punjab's policy, leading to the current situation.
