Chandigarh: In response to the question corresponding to drug abuse in the state of Punjab, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that 68 employees including Punjab Police (53), state jail department(7), Punjab home guards(2), BSF(4) and Chandigarh Police(1) have been arrested since 2014 in cases related to drug abuse.
In reply to a query of MP Mahendra Mahra (dated March 9, 2016) whether the Union government was aware of that youth of Punjab were reeling under drug menace, Rijiju said, “Yes sir. Drug addiction is affecting the youth in Punjab and the ministry of social Justice and empowerment has conducted a rapid survey along with AIIMS to estimate the extent and pattern of drug abuse and is taking steps to restrict supply of drugs from across the border”.
Punjab Congress chief spokesman Sunil Jakhar claims it busts the claims of both Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and Badal government who are claiming that the producers of Udta Punjab were defaming Punjab. “Even the Union government has admitted that Punjab’s youth are addicted to drugs,” he adds.