Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign gains momentum as entire state uniting against menace of drugs: Harpal Cheema
Door-to-door anti-drug campaign across all villages starting from May 7th
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), May 4, 2025: Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the state government's 'Yudh Nashlan Virudh' campaign has reached a decisive stage, with the entire state uniting against the menace of drugs.
Along with Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, the Finance Minister held a crucial meeting with members of Village Defense Committees and Ward Defense Committees in Patiala.
Addressing the event, the ministers emphasized that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has taken a zero-tolerance stance against drugs, breaking the backbone of drug smugglers.
In contrast, previous governments had allegedly nurtured drug smugglers.
The Finance Minister administered an oath against drugs to a large gathering, calling upon the people to make the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' people's movement a success and make Punjab the country's first drug-free state.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the government's commitment to eradicating drugs, stating that anyone involved in drug trafficking will not be spared, regardless of their position or affiliation.
He attributed the spread of drugs in Punjab to previous governments, saying that the Akali-BJP government sowed the seeds of drugs, while the Congress government watered this plant.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party government has taken steps to uproot this menace.
Finance Minister Cheema lauded Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's firm stance on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) issue, recognizing him as the true protector of Punjab's waters.
He contrasted this with the actions of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who he stated had offered 'silver hoe' to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to start digging of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, and the Badals, who by allegedly exchanged Punjab's water for land in Gurgaon.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh expressed hope that Patiala district would become the first drug-free district in Punjab, thanks to the government's campaign against drugs.
He announced the tripling of beds in state-run drug addiction centers, their transformation into model facilities, and the establishment of skill development centers to rehabilitate addicts and facilitate their reintegration into the workforce.
He further announced that all MLAs and leaders will conduct a door-to-door anti-drug campaign across all villages starting from May 7th.
Former Minister Bram Shankar Jimpa called on the people to socially boycott drug traffickers. Jagdeep Singh Jagga, Malwa Zone Coordinator and Deputy Mayor of Aam Aadmi Party's Nasha Mukti Morcha, briefed the audience on the progress of the Nasha Mukti Morcha. DIG Patiala Range Dr. Nanak Singh detailed the actions taken by the Patiala Police against drug trafficking and appealed to the public to share information about drug peddlers via the Safe Punjab WhatsApp number: 9779100200. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav provided information on the structure and objectives of the Village Defense Committees and Ward Defense Committees, assuring that the district administration is fully prepared to ensure the success of the Punjab government's drug de-addiction campaign.
On this occasion, MLAs Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Gurdev Singh Dev Mann, Gurlal Ghanaur, Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat, Chief Spokesperson of the Nasha Mukti Morcha Baltej Pann, Malva Zone Coordinator Jagdeep Jagga, PRTC Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Municipal Corporation Mayor Kundan Gogia, Improvement Trust Chairman Megh Chand Shermajra, AAP urban President Tejinder Mehta, Senior Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli, Vice Chairman Inderjit Singh Sandhu, District Planning Committee Chairman Jasvir Singh Jassi Sohianwala and members of VDCs ans WDCs, Panches, Sarpanches, Councillors and others signatories were present.