Latest news with #YudhNasheyanDeVirudh
Hans India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Construction of 13,000 ultra-modern stadiums to start soon, says Punjab CM
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that the government will soon commence the construction of 13,000 ultra-modern stadiums across the state, with work on 3,083 already underway in the first phase. Addressing the media here, the Chief Minister said the government is focusing on promoting sports to positively channel the immense energy of the youth. He emphasised the aim is to instil a sporting culture in the state and steer young people away from the scourge of drug addiction. Mann said these stadiums will be instrumental in the promotion of sporting spirit across the state, especially at the village level. The Chief Minister criticised previous governments, stating that successive Congress and Akali-BJP regimes paid no attention to the development of sports infrastructure or youth employment. As a result, he lamented, drugs spread unchecked across the state, and the youth sank deeper into addiction. However, Mann highlighted that the state is now witnessing a transformation, thanks to the ongoing anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh, launched by the government. The Chief Minister said the supply chains of narcotics have been disrupted, and many young people are beginning to overcome addiction. The ultimate objective, he said, is to free Punjab's youth from the grip of drugs and make them a partner in the socio-economic development of the state. Mann praised the Punjab Police for their outstanding work in dismantling drug networks, something that previous governments failed to address seriously. The Chief Minister added that a comprehensive plan is now in place to connect the youth with sports and distance them from addiction. He said the state government has embarked on a historic mission to build modern sports facilities in every village of Punjab. Mann announced that around 13,000 villages will be equipped with high-quality sports grounds, and the first phase of the project has already commenced with 3,083 stadiums under construction.
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mann, Kejriwal lay foundation stone of Rs 78-cr Burlton Park Sports Hub project in Jalandhar
Highlighting the Punjab government's plan to establish ultra-modern sports facilities statewide as a long-term solution to substance abuse and youth disillusionment, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday that 'stadiums in every village will be our answer to drugs'. The former Delhi chief minister and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann laid the foundation stone of the Burlton Park Sports Hub project in Jalandhar, an ambitious project to be developed at a cost of nearly Rs 78 crore. Terming it a 'historic' day, Kejriwal said India's first-of-its-kind multi-sports hub would provide thousands of people with opportunities to get into sports and maintain a healthy lifestyle, signaling a dramatic shift in the fight against drugs toward rebuilding lives through sports. Under the ongoing 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign, the Punjab government is doubling down on its strategy: a crackdown on drug networks and opening up sporting pathways for youth. 'Operation Bulldoze, community cooperation and police broke the drug network, now sports will build the future,' Kejriwal said at the event. 'The state had once led the nation in sports, enterprise and courage, but decades of political mismanagement had allowed drugs to invade every family and village.' Kejriwal spoke about the establishment of new focal points across Punjab and the launch of the 'FastTrack Punjab Portal' to ensure investors receive all necessary approvals within 45 days of the application. Echoing this commitment, Mann noted, 'Jalandhar has produced generations of national athletes, especially in hockey. But that legacy had been tarnished as political apathy and poor governance allowed the drug menace to flourish. We promised a sports hub in 2022, and we are delivering it today.' Mann stated, 'Punjab's youth have unmatched energy and spirit — sports will be the channel through which we redirect that toward glory, not grief.' The chief minister announced that Burlton Park would soon be renamed after a legendary Punjabi sportsperson, erasing its colonial past and rooting it firmly in Punjab's proud identity. Plans were also unveiled for new international cricket stadiums in Jalandhar and Amritsar, following the model of Mullanpur, he said. The Rs 78-crore sports hub is expected to come up within a year, offering state-of-the-art facilities and access to thousands of aspiring athletes. More importantly, it's being positioned as a new front in Punjab's war against drugs — a symbol of hope and renewal. Mann and Kejriwal flagged off a shipment of 25,000 rugby balls to be used for matches in the prestigious 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. They emphasised that it is a matter of great honour for Punjab that rugby balls manufactured by Savi International, a Jalandhar-based company, will be used in an international sporting event of such magnitude. Both the leaders added that the sports industry is playing a vital role in fuelling thousands of jobs and positioning Punjab as a global manufacturing powerhouse. Highlighting the global reputation of Jalandhar's sports industry, the leaders lauded the hardworking, resilient, and visionary manufacturers who have consistently delivered world-class products. They reaffirmed the Punjab government's commitment to giving a strong impetus to this vibrant sector.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Drug crisis result of AAP's failure to take action: BJP
Ludhiana: Days after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malwinder Singh Kang accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of shielding drug suppliers, BJP leaders hit back with strong rebuttals during a press conference held on Monday. BJP state general secretary Anil Sarin and district president Rajnish Dhiman addressed mediapersons, asserting that the ongoing drug crisis in Punjab was a direct result of the AAP government's failure to act decisively. The BJP leaders criticised the AAP's much-publicised 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign, claiming that not a single major drug supplier had been arrested under the initiative. Responding to allegations made by MP Kang—who claimed that BJP leaders in Patiala helped a drug peddler secure legal relief—Sarin clarified that the BJP worker merely identified the accused for legal formalities. The individual in question was reportedly caught with 5 grams of heroin, a quantity not classified as commercial. Sarin further alleged that on May 28, police in Ajnala arrested two individuals with 50 grams of heroin, which falls under the commercial category. However, AAP cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal allegedly intervened at the police station, advocating for the accused to be sent to a rehabilitation centre instead of facing legal action. The BJP leaders concluded by accusing the AAP government of shielding offenders and failing to dismantle the drug network in the state.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Private psychiatrists' backing gives Punjab's anti-drug campaign critical push
Chandigarh: In a significant breakthrough for Punjab's anti-drug efforts, private psychiatrists agreed to join the state govt's flagship 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign, offering critical support in the face of a severe shortage of specialists, albeit with riders. Their decision came after initial reluctance and marked a pivotal step forward in expanding clinical care for those battling addiction across the state. The move is expected to substantially strengthen the state's capacity to manage the growing number of individuals seeking rehabilitation, following an intensified crackdown on drug abuse. Currently, over 10 lakh individuals are undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres and 180 private facilities. In addition, the govt added 1,200 new beds for addiction treatment in private institutions to meet rising demand. Faced with an acute shortage of psychiatrists in public health facilities, the health department turned to the private sector for help. The breakthrough came after Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh announced that private psychiatrists operating through OPDs would be permitted to dispense all approved medications for addiction treatment—including buprenorphine and naloxone—to their own patients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo This was a longstanding demand of private mental health professionals. Following this policy shift, the Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) conveyed their decision to "provisionally" accept the govt's offer to support the clinical management of addiction cases in govt-affiliated de-addiction facilities. However, the collaboration comes with conditions aimed at safeguarding the autonomy and interests of private practitioners. The AOP underscored several key demands: services should remain entirely voluntary, adequately remunerated, and logistically feasible; arrangements must be formalised through a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) clearly outlining terms of engagement, payment schedules, notice periods, and exit clauses. Moreover, psychiatrists seek legal indemnity from complications that may arise during treatment, such as patient absconding, injury, death, adverse drug reactions, or treatment failures. The association shared a list of the doctors who expressed their willingness to collaborate along with the choice of station. Nabha-based psychiatrist Dr Rajoo Saroj welcomed the govt's broader strategy, stating, "The Punjab govt has adopted a comprehensive and community-driven approach to strengthening de-addiction treatment facilities across the state. The initiative encompasses public-private partnerships, community engagement, outpatient opioid-assisted treatment, infrastructure development, and the establishment of a centralised drug de-addiction registry portal for robust policy monitoring. These multifaceted efforts are aimed at tackling the addiction crisis in Punjab." Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) president Dr Rupinder Kapur said, "The Punjab govt approached us to support the 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign. Our understanding is that it seeks to empower patients by expanding treatment options and empower doctors by granting them greater autonomy, including the ability to dispense all approved medications from their OPD setups. However, the campaign's success is contingent on the govt fulfilling its commitments to both patients and doctors. The AOP is closely monitoring the govt's policy decisions, and our support will continue only if those promises are honoured." Dr Balbir Singh called the decision of private doctors to assist govt mutually beneficial. "Private psychiatrists will be allowed to dispense medicine to their own patients, while the govt will be able to expand the reach and effectiveness of its substance abuse treatment programmes," he said. BOX Call for mental health reform In addition to their support for the anti-drug campaign, the Association of Psychiatrists is also pressing the state govt for full implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act. They argue that rights-based and comprehensive treatment for drug addiction cannot be achieved without aligning existing practices with the Act. The association is also advocating for an end to the so-called "licence raj", greater clarity on govt policy in mental health, and redressal of local challenges faced by private practitioners. MSID:: 121488359 413 |
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab battles drug crisis, Mental Healthcare Act yet to be fully enforced
Chandigarh: Even as Punjab has waged a high-decibel war on drugs through its flagship 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign, the state govt has fallen short on a crucial front — the full implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (MHCA), which experts say is essential for effective, rights-based treatment of drug addiction. While the state made progress in expanding treatment access, with over 10 lakh individuals currently undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centres and 180 private centres, experts have flagged critical gaps in aligning de-addiction services with the provisions of the MHCA. Punjab initiated steps toward implementing the Act by establishing the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in 2018 and notifying the Punjab State Mental Healthcare (Standards of Care) Rules in 2019. However, full enforcement remains elusive. The Punjab and Haryana high court earlier this year had directed the state to comply with all the mandatory provisions of the MHCA, pointing to the gaps in execution. The Act, once fully implemented, ensures that drug addiction is treated as a mental health issue — not a criminal one. It promotes care over punishment, dignity over stigma, and sustainable recovery over temporary detox, while safeguarding patient rights and ensuring standardised, ethical treatment practices. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) wrote to Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh, urging the govt to expedite the MHCA implementation across the state. The IPS lauded the intent behind 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh', calling it a timely and sensitive response to Punjab's worsening substance abuse crisis. The society also welcomed the inclusion of private sector psychiatrists in the campaign, labelling it a much-needed step toward inclusive public health reform. The Indian Psychiatric Society members, however, expressed concern over the current treatment protocols in the state, calling these "flawed and a hindrance" in treatment. They stressed that all matters regarding the treatment of addiction had to be monitored under the provision of the MHCA and not under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. They also called for the routine use of evidence-based medications such as buprenorphine, in line with international standards, to ensure effective outcomes. The IPS recommended that during inspections of de-addiction centres or psychiatric facilities, any concerns involving psychiatrists should be referred to the district or state mental health review boards constituted under the MHCA. Disciplinary action, they said, should follow only after recommendations from these statutory bodies. A senior health department official said efforts were underway to implement the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 in its entirety, and the enforcement process was expected to be completed soon. Despite repeated attempts, health minister Dr Balbir Singh could not be reached for comments. Health Department Working On Modalities (BOX) Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh has announced that private psychiatrists would be permitted to dispense buprenorphine and naloxone to patients undergoing treatment for substance abuse. The department has started working on the modalities. MSID:: 121271378 413 |
