Congress promises to end Punjab drugs menace within a month

The Congress has promised that, if elected in the forthcoming Punjab assembly elections, it would eliminate the drugs menace in the state within four weeks.

In its manifesto for the state assembly polls, released on Monday, the Congress said it will end the supply and consumption of drugs completely in the state in a month.

The other promises listed in the document include waiver of agricultural debts, jobs for every household, resolution of the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal issue, cess on liquor and free eduction for girls.

Referring to the SYL canal issue, Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh said his party's government would bring a legislation to protect the water of the state.

Releasing the Congress manifesto for the Punjab polls here, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "Punjab has tremendous all-round potential, but it has not been exploited because of mismanagement by the government in the last 10 years. The fiscal situation has been mismanaged in a manner that is unprecedented."

Addressing media persons at the launch of the party election manifesto at the local Congress headquarters, Amarinder said: "Innovative measures such as cess on liquor and revenue through mining could help generate funds for employment."

"With the promise of one job for each household, the Congress has decided to take several initiatives, including setting up of employment bureaus across the state under the supervision of an employment commission, to generate and provide employment to the youths," he said.

Reiterating his promise to revive agriculture and industry in the state, Amarinder said although farm debt is the responsibility of the central government, he would ensure that all debts of farmers in Punjab are waived off on priority basis.

On the SYL issue, he said his party's government would introduce a "legislation to protect the water of Punjab, which has not a drop to spare for other states".

In response to a question on his employment generation promise, Amarinder Singh said: "I don't not believe in making false promises and I am confident of generating the 20 lakh jobs needed to ensure one job per family in Punjab."

--IANS

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