Congress grass irks residents

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 10

The rampant growth of the congress grass and cannabis alongside roads, vacant plots and the green belts has left the residents fuming. As this goes unchecked, addicts have an easy access to cannabis. Besides, the congress grass poses a health hazard.

The wild growth can be seen even at Guru Nanak Hospital and ESI Hospital. Also several government buildings and several roads, including the bypass road, Vallah Road and GT Road, are surrounded by the shrubs.

The district administration did not make any effort to remove the weeds despite the fact that the state government had issued a notification that the congress grass was injurious to agricultural crops and it was necessary to take measures to remove it. Drug addicts use the cannabis, locally known as ‘bhang’, as intoxicant. Residents said the administration should get the wild growth removed. Besides, people should also make sure that their vacant plots remain clean, they say.

Jaswinder Singh, a social activist, said, “Such weeds are hazardous to health. After heavy rains, weeds have been mushrooming in the city and adjoining areas. It can be spotted on roadsides, farms, pastures and vacant plots. It affects crop production, livestock and human health. The district administration should remove the congress grass and cannabis.”

Amandeep, a city resident, said, “It is strange that the congress grass is grown on the premises of government hospitals. The government should come up with a drive to remove such plants. Residents should be motivated to remove these around their houses.”

It is worth mentioning here that a number of colonies around the city are lying vacant as the real estate sector faces a slump. Weeds are flourishing in theses localities.