Drug menace will end in a month, says DC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 21

In a review meeting with officials of various departments here today, Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha issued instructions to police officials to tighten noose around drug sellers and told the Health Department to create awareness about drug de-addiction facilities.

Instructions were also issued to officials of the Punjab Mandi Board to make arrangements for procurement of wheat.

The Deputy Commissioner, who had attended a meeting convened by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh yesterday, said the drug menace in the state would be ended within a month.

He said all drug addicts would be admitted to drug de-addiction centres and they would be given help for starting a new life.

He also visited the drug de-addiction centres and interacted with patients and medical staff to know about facilities available.

The Deputy Commissioner said officials of the Mandi Board and Food and Civil Supplies Department had been told to make arrangements for the procurement of the wheat crop.

He said all facilities listed on the paper should be made available in grain markets. Sangha also issued instructions to the authorities that reflectors would be fixed on all vehicles coming to the grain markets.

The Deputy Commissioner said tractor-trailers and trucks in the absence of reflectors result in accidents during night hours.

He said if successful, the move would decrease accidents in the future.

Sangha said the working of all government departments would be monitored closely and it would be ensured that public services were delivered in time and without causing any harassment to the public.

The arrival of wheat crop is expected to start in the first week of April. The Deputy Commissioner, during the meeting told the officials of the Mandi Board and the Food Supply Department to make arrangements of power connections, light, potable water and toilets at grain markets of the district.

There are 55 markets in the district. Almost all procurement agencies visit these markets and procure the wheat crop. Agriculture officials were expecting a good crop this year as weather conditions are favourable for the wheat crop.

Jasbir Singh Pannu, District Mandi Officer, said: “We are expecting that the arrival of wheat will start after April 10. Most of the people start harvesting on Baisakhi. We have power connections in all markets. Lights will be installed soon. Water coolers and pumps are also available. We will conduct fogging before the start of the harvesting season for a comfortable stay of farmers in the markets.”

Officials are expecting that the procurement would not witness any delay as the new government had been making efforts for timely procurement and payments to farmers for their crop.