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Central agencies going soft on cartels, says Punjab’s White Paper on drugs
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 22
The Punjab government today came out with a White Paper on the drug scenario in the state and released a detailed report on the steps taken by Punjab to deal with the drug menace. It has squarely blamed the Central agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the BSF, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Customs and other states for "playing soft" on drug cartels.

Punjab Police have made more drug seizures than their counterparts and any other Central agencies during the past three years, Sukhbir said.

Earlier the drug issue created a furore in the Punjab Assembly as the Opposition led by CLP leader Sunil Jakhar sought to corner the ruling combine on the contentious issue. Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal had to seek an extension from the Speaker for tabling of a full report on the issue.

Tabling the report and replying to a supplementary question, Sukhbir claimed that the Punjab government had taken stern action against drug peddlers.

"Punjab has waged a war against the drug menace. Due to our efforts, drugs are largely not available in the state. In fact, unlike states like Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, Punjab does not produce any drugs. Drugs like heroin are smuggled in the state from Afghanistan via Pakistan. Punjab is merely a transit point.