Legislators 'united' against drug abuse
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday discussed a resolution to check the menace of drug addiction in the state, with consensus on doing away with the distribution of intoxicants, at least during the elections.
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday discussed a resolution to check the menace of drug addiction in the state, with consensus on doing away with the distribution of intoxicants, at least during the elections.
The legislators, cutting across party lines, were in unison in their resolve to help the authorities concerned in their fight against drug abuse.
The opposition Congress raised the issue of drug abuse among school-level youth as well, expressing concern over the "alarming situation".
"Let us all be severe against the disbursement of intoxicants, at least during the elections…" said Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa of the Congress.
Pargat Singh (SAD) laid stress on increasing the budget for sports and youth affairs, comparing the 20% budget on human resources development (including sports) to a mere 7 paise per Rs 1,000 of the country's union budget.
Focus on sports and other youth activities was the way out to discourage the youth from drugs and liquor, he said.
CONCERN OVER PRICE RISE
The House unanimously passed a resolution to press the union government for taking emergent steps to control the price rise of essential food commodities.
Leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar said the price rise was normally the fallout of the hike in petroleum prices, that was not in the hands of any government to control, looking at the fluctuating international market for fuel.
Tota Singh (SAD) highlighted the role of middlemen in the increase of prices of commodities such as onion.
He also apprehended further rise in fertilizer prices, pointing out that no subsidy had been granted to the National Fertilisers Limited for the past three months.
"The Congress' slogan of 'garibi hatao' for decades together did not work," said Virsa Singh Valtoha.
The SAD also countered the Congress for scoring on the Food Security Act, highlighting the atta-dal scheme of the Punjab government.