Punjab may file PIL in MP High Court for ban on opium, poppy

Punjab government may file a Public Interest Litigation in Madhya Pradesh High Court, to seek a ban on opium and poppy cultivation in the state in a bid to eliminate inter-state smuggling of psychotropic substances, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said.
After inaugurating Akal University here, Badal said here that the decision of Rajasthan High Court placing embargo on poppy cultivation was commendable and now Punjab government is considering to move to Madhya Pradesh High Court to stop cultivation of poppy husk and opium.
He said that there should not be two laws in the country against cultivation of poppy since in some states the cultivation was legal, while it was illegal in others.

He said that there should be uniformity in this regard in the entire country and Punjab is strongly advocating ban on such "bitter" harvest.
Badal said that Punjab was not producing synthetic drugs but instead it was fighting nation's war against drugs.
He added that some anti-state forces, with vested political gains, were trying to defame Punjab and brave Punjabis by dubbing them as addicts.

Talking about development in the state, Badal said the SAD-BJP government has fulfilled 99 per cent promises made to the electorates.
He said Punjab has seen all-round and uniform development of both rural and urban areas. He said that people should commend such landmark progress and growth registered by SAD-BJP government.

Ridiculing the false propaganda being launched by opposition, Badal challenged Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh to list a single achievement attained during his tenure.
He said the sole aim of Amarinder's rallies in marriage palaces was against PPCC President Partap Singh Bajwa to dethrone him by capturing the leadership of state Congress.
On rift between Aam Aadmi Party leadership in Punjab, Badal said the "balloon" of AAP has burst completely as the real face of it has been exposed in Delhi.
He alleged that there was no democracy in AAP since Arvind Kejriwal was running his party like a dictator and the political end of it was not far.

When asked about shifting of prisoners to Punjab from other states, Badal said there was clear cut verdict of Apex Court that no state could release the lifetime convicts.
He said that Punjab government would not allow anyone to disturb communal harmony and law and order in the state.
On the menace of stray cattle in state, Badal said Punjab government has prepared a comprehensive plan to construct 'gaushalas' (cattle sheds) in the state in each district.
Referring to a query on mushrooming of chit-fund trade in Malwa belt, Deputy Chief Minister said that instructions in this regards have been issued to the district administrations to look into the matter by ensuring needful action against the fraudulent people running chit funds.