CHANDIGARH: In a bid to launch a crusade against the Drug menace in the state, the Punjab Government has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that the MoU was signed by the Regional Representative of UNODC Ms. Cristina Albertin and Principal Secretary Home Affairs & Justice Mr. DS Bains for initiating joint drug control efforts in the presence of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.
Expressing deep concern over the issue Mr. Badal categorically said, "The State Government is fully committed to launch a big war against drugs and seeks serious involvement of UNODC in weeding out the drug menace from the state." He further said that he would shortly call on the Prime Minister and take up the issue of cross border smuggling of Poppy Husk from Rajasthan to Punjab for seeking his personal intervention to immediate check this unlawful activity, where it was openly sold in the market like other essential commodities.
The Chief Minister asked the representatives of UNODC to adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on all aspects related to drug abuse in sync with the state government to evolve a result oriented action plan. Unveiling the purpose and objective of the MoU Ms Cristina Albertin apprised the chief minister that it was primarily aimed at facilitating and establishing a framework for between the state government and UNODC in common and mutually agreed areas of activity in drug control.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Adviser (Media & National Affairs) to the Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. K.J.S. Cheema, Principal Secretary Social Welfare Mr. Jagpal Singh, Secretary Health Mr. Hussan Lal, Secretary Education Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, ADGP Vigilance Mr. Hardeep Dhillon, Director Health Mr. Ashok Nayyar and other senior officers of the State government, besides Regional Programme Coordinator of UNODC Mr. Rajiv Walia.