Punjab intensifies anti-drug campaign targeting economic ties

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria announced on Friday that the state government is intensifying its efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. He emphasized the need to break the economic chain that links these activities. In his address to the Vidhan Sabha, Kataria noted that properties owned by drug traffickers have been demolished. The Special Task Force has also been restructured and renamed the Anti-Narcotics Task Force. An Anti Gangster Task Force is working to fight organized crime, leading to the arrest of over 1,588 criminals and the dismantling of 571 crime modules. Kataria highlighted the government's plans to set up five new medical colleges in different districts. The state is also providing a subsidized transport service, featuring 230 buses, for Schools of Eminence and girls' schools. Since 2022, more than 51,000 candidates have received job offers from various government departments. Additionally, Kataria announced the restoration of 77 canals that had been abandoned for 30 years, totaling 545 kilometers. He stated that the state saw a 12% increase in water usage during the last Kharif season. The government purchased significant amounts of wheat and paddy, making direct payments of Rs 68,630 crores to farmers. In energy news, Punjab recorded its highest-ever power demand of 16,058 MW in June 2024. The state is also working on better waste management through improved waste collection and processing. To reduce air pollution in Amritsar, old diesel auto-rickshaws are being replaced with electric ones. Lastly, Kataria announced plans to introduce 347 electric buses in cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Patiala to improve public transport and reduce reliance on private vehicles. The introduction of electric city bus services in the Mohali area is also being proposed as part of the broader Chandigarh region.