The Punjab Congress MlAs on Friday staged a walkout in the Punjab Assembly in protest against the Sstate Government’s failure to come up with a white paper on cases lodged against drug peddlers and the number of police officers involved in smuggling.
The issue was raised during the Question Hour when the Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal gave extension to the question of Congress MlA Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, listed for the day. Sodhi has sought reply from Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal asking whether the State Government would issue a white paper on the issue.
As the Speaker insisted that question cannot be taken up, the Congress MlAs protested. leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Jakhar pointed that the ruling combine refuted the Opposition’s demand of holding discussion on the drug’s issue, “and now, they are running away from answering this question. We thought we will be able to have debate now”.
Demanding record of cases lodged against drug peddlers since January 1, 2014, the party also sought number of police officials involved in illegal activities regarding drug smuggling and details of departmental action taken against them so far. “It is unfair...We never expected that they (SAD-BJP) will run away. Why the state government is not giving reply. We want the answer…they should come up a white paper,” said Jakhar.
As the Speaker’s pleas failed to pacify the Opposition MlAs, Sukhbir maintained that the state government is leaving no stone unturned and making every possible effort to combat this problem. Also the Home Minister, Sukhbir assured the House that he would give the reply “after coming fully prepared either on Monday or Tuesday”.
Unsatisfied, Sodhi said that the drug abuse was a burning issue of the state and remained adamant on a debate. “We are not here just for the state government’s criticism and being an opposition member. The people will not forgive us if we do not address this issue,” said Sodhi while insisting on a debate on the drug menace.