Drug abuse, frequent protests derailed Punjab progress: Governor

Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday said drug abuse and frequent protests had detailed the state’s progress and Punjab could reclaim its pole position in terms of economic progress only after getting rid of the problems.

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The remarks came days after the state government launched a crackdown on drug peddlers, declared as a war against narcotics with an aim to snap their supply lines within next three months.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also ordered a clampdown on farmer outfits belonging to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to foil their plan to hold a week-long stir in the state capital from March 5.

Mann had accused the SKM leaders of the bid to “halt” the state’s progress by staging dharnas during a meeting with farm leaders earlier this month.

The meeting was followed by the detention of farmers across the state ahead of their scheduled protest.

Now, suggesting for a conciliatory approach to hammer out a satisfactory solution of issues, Kataria said protesters should resort to regular discussions instead of adopting the path of confrontation by staging protests every time a problem crops up.

“We will have to make efforts to reclaim the pole position that the state once enjoyed. It is possible only when the state gets rid of drug abuse and frequent dharnas,” he told reporters after attending a convocation ceremony at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University here.

He, however, said genuine demands of state farmers should be accepted as they played a crucial role in making the country self-sufficient in food production.

Commenting on the drug menace, Kataria said Punjab was “being attacked from both inside and outside” despite the best efforts of the government.

“A wholehearted cooperation from the public is needed to stem the problem,” he added.

Later, speaking at the convocation, Kataria urged students not to consider their degrees as a pathway to employment but rather an instrument to pay back to the nation and society. Over 700 students were awarded degrees on the occasion.