Punjab has sought "special category status" for itself on the grounds of being "a victim" of "narco-terrorism by Pakistan", triggering a pervasive drug menace there.
The clamour for grant of special category status to the state, making it eligible for allocation of higher share of Central funds, was raised by Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra in a letter to Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
"The drug menace has gripped different sections of the society irrespective of the caste, creed, religion and economic status," said Mohindra in his letter, adding that "the malady of drug abuse prevails more in the border districts of Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Amritsar."
Mohindra pleaded with the Centre "for at least restoring its (Punjab's) share to the previous ratio of 75:25 which shall greatly aid our efforts to bring welfare schemes for the residents of our state."
Seeking the special category status for Punjab, the state health minister also compared it with the other special category states of Jammu & Kashmir, the hilly states and the north eastern ones to argue his case for greater allocation of central grants "due to its disturbed status, difficult terrain or its border with Pakistan."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content