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Punjab's De-Addiction Scandal: How Funded Centres Became Drug Suppliers

During a Rajya Sabha session, AAP MP Swati Maliwal dropped a bombshell about Punjab's drug fight. She revealed that government-funded de-addiction centres were actually supplying drugs, according to ED raids. Meanwhile, Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan pointed out the irony of schoolchildren getting addicted in dry Bihar. The government minister admitted the seriousness of the problem and promised better monitoring of funds.

Key Points: Swati Maliwal Raises Punjab Drug Funds Misuse, Bihar Child Addiction in RS

  • AAP MP Swati Maliwal alleges Punjab misuses central funds meant for fighting drug menace
  • ED raids revealed 22 de-addiction centres in Punjab became drug suppliers
  • Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan raises alarm over drug abuse among Bihar schoolchildren
  • Minister B.L. Verma acknowledges crisis, vows stricter fund monitoring and coordination
2 min read

Issues of drugs in Punjab de-addiction centres, addiction of schoolchildren in dry Bihar raised in RS

AAP MP Swati Maliwal accuses Punjab of misusing central drug funds, while Congress MP raises alarm over schoolchildren's addiction in dry Bihar during Rajya Sabha session.

"Sir, this year the Enforcement Directorate had raided as many as 22 de-addiction centres in Punjab and found that many of these government-funded centres have themselves become drug suppliers. - Swati Maliwal"

New Delhi, Dec 3

During a hard-hitting supplementary question at Question Hour, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accused the Punjab government of gross misuse of Central funds meant for fighting the drug menace in the state. The House also took up the grave issue of drug abuse among schoolchildren in Bihar despite the state's complete liquor prohibition policy.

"Sir, this year the Enforcement Directorate had raided as many as 22 de-addiction centres in Punjab and found that many of these government-funded centres have themselves become drug suppliers," Swati Maliwal, who has been at loggerheads with her party AAP over various issues.

Swati Maliwal alleged in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour that while the Punjab government spends crores of rupees on large hoardings and advertisements projecting a "drug-free Punjab", the ground reality remains grim.

She sought a direct reply from the Centre: "Is there any mechanism through which the Government of India can ensure that funds released to Punjab are used exclusively for de-addiction work and not diverted?"

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B.L. Verma acknowledged the severity of the drug crisis.

"Punjab is indeed facing a serious drug problem; even jails are not spared. The Centre has already established de-addiction centres in 10 districts of Punjab and more are being planned," he informed the House.

Assuring strict action, he said, "We are taking serious note of the misuse and will intensify monitoring and coordination to ensure funds are utilised properly."

In another intervention, Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan (Chhattisgarh) raised alarm over rising drug abuse among schoolchildren in Bihar despite the state's complete liquor prohibition.

"Bihar is a dry state, yet drugs are easily reaching children. How is this happening?" she asked.

The Minister clarified that narcotics control primarily falls under the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Ministry of Home Affairs, but his ministry works in coordination with 15 ministries.

"We are running awareness and de-addiction programmes in Bihar and will further strengthen them," he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
The situation in Bihar is equally alarming. Just banning liquor doesn't solve the drug problem. It pushes the issue underground. We need better policing and community-based awareness programs in schools. Parents and teachers need to be more vigilant.
R
Rahul R
Swati Maliwal is raising a very valid point, regardless of her party issues. Crores spent on hoardings for "Drug-Free Punjab" while the de-addiction centres are part of the problem? This is the height of hypocrisy and poor governance.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked in public health, I appreciate the Minister acknowledging the crisis. But "intensifying monitoring" is a standard bureaucratic reply. We need transparent, real-time tracking of these funds and regular social audits by local communities.
A
Aman W
The problem is deep-rooted. It's not just about funds or laws. We have to address the lack of opportunities and peer pressure that leads youth to drugs. Punjab and Bihar both need massive job creation drives alongside de-addiction efforts.
K
Kriti O
Schoolchildren in Bihar! This sends a chill down my spine. 🥺 Prohibition has clearly failed if drugs are filling the gap. The supply chain needs to be smashed. NCB and state police must work together, not pass the buck between ministries.

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