Breaking: Chemical drugs entering Punjab from BJP and Congress-ruled states: Harpal Cheema; Watch Video
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 20, 2026: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday claimed that chemical drugs were not manufactured in Punjab and alleged that the state’s supply of illicit chemical substances and prescription medicines came primarily from states governed by the BJP and Congress.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Punjab, Cheema questioned the Centre’s action against the alleged supply of intoxicating substances from other states and its response to Punjab’s requests for stricter regulation of certain medicines and chemicals.
Referring to pregabalin and methanol, Cheema claimed that manufacturing facilities supplying such substances were operating in Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. He specifically mentioned Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.
Citing incidents in Sangrur and Majitha, the Finance Minister said the methanol involved in those cases had originated in Faridabad. He said Punjab had taken action against the firms allegedly linked to the cases and arrested their owners.
Cheema questioned why stronger action was not being taken against the sources of such substances outside Punjab.
Punjab seeks stricter regulation of medicines and chemicals
Cheema said the Punjab government had written several letters to the Centre seeking stricter controls on the sale and distribution of medicines and chemicals allegedly being misused as intoxicants.
He said the Health Department and he, during his tenure as Excise Minister, had urged the Centre to bring the relevant substances, including methanol, within the ambit of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to curb their illegal sale, including through online channels.
According to Cheema, the state had not received a satisfactory response to these communications.
He maintained that stronger central intervention was necessary to regulate the supply chain and prevent substances originating outside Punjab from reaching the state.
Over 80,000 arrests claimed under anti-drug campaign
Highlighting the state government’s anti-drug drive, Cheema said the Bhagwant Mann-led government had intensified enforcement under its Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign.
He claimed that more than 80,000 arrests had been made under the NDPS Act as part of the state’s action against drug trafficking.
The minister reiterated