Chugh questions delay in enforcing the PIT-NDPS Act Against Drug Traffickers, Bhagwant Mann Government Woke Up Only After HM Amit Shah’s Pressure

Chugh questions delay in enforcing the PIT-NDPS Act Against Drug Traffickers, Bhagwant Mann Government Woke Up Only After HM Amit Shah’s Pressure

Endangering Pilgrims’ Safety and Delaying Action Against Drug Traffickers Expose the Priorities of the Bhagwant Mann Government : Tarun Chugh

Chandigarh 25 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : BJP National Headquarters In-Charge and Member of Parliament Tarun Chugh launched a sharp attack on the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab, stating that on one hand, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has had to intervene over concerns regarding the safety of pilgrims under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Scheme, while on the other, the government has delayed taking effective action against drug traffickers through the PIT-NDPS Act. Both developments expose the reality behind the Aam Aadmi Party government's claims of public service and good governance. Punjab needs safety, accountability and tangible action on the ground, not advertisements and announcements.

Chugh said that the NHRC notice concerning the safety of buses operating under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Scheme is a serious matter. Ensuring the safety of devotees who leave their homes with faith and the aspiration to seek the blessings of the Almighty is the government's foremost responsibility. Questions over safety standards in a sensitive initiative such as a pilgrimage scheme raise serious concerns about governance and oversight. The Bhagwant Mann government must clarify whether regular inspections of bus fitness, driver qualifications and other essential safety standards are being conducted to protect pilgrims.

He said that the Aam Aadmi Party government is quick to publicise its schemes for political gain, but questions arise over its functioning when accountability is demanded. An NHRC notice is not a political statement but an action by a constitutional body that the government must take seriously. It is unfortunate that the faith and safety of pilgrims have become instruments of political publicity. The government must respond to the concerns raised over safety and fix responsibility wherever negligence is established.

Targeting the Bhagwant Mann government over the drug menace, Chugh said that Punjab took steps towards enforcing the PIT-NDPS Act only after Union Home Minister Amit Shah raised questions about its use against drug traffickers. He said that during his visit to Punjab, the Union Home Minister questioned why 929 cases had been registered under the Act across the country while Punjab had not registered a single case. The subsequent notification issued by the state government raises a fundamental question: why did a government claiming to wage a decisive war against drugs fail to use this important legal provision earlier?

Chugh said that the PIT-NDPS Act, 1988, provides important legal provisions to prevent illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Subject to the prescribed legal procedures and conditions, the Act permits preventive detention for up to one year to prevent further involvement in illicit drug trafficking. The notification issued by the Punjab government is only the first step. The real test will be whether the law is implemented effectively and impartially to take concrete action against drug trafficking networks.

He said that Punjab's youth are falling prey to drugs, while families are struggling to protect their children's future. In such circumstances, the government's responsibility cannot be limited to launching campaigns and making tall claims. It must identify and dismantle entire drug trafficking networks, act against their financial sources, ensure accountability within the police and administration, and prioritise treatment and rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction. The government must also explain who is responsible for the delay in using this legal provision.

He said that the politics of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann has revolved around announcements and publicity, while the people of Punjab demand security, accountability and concrete results. Whether it is the safety of pilgrims or the fight to protect Punjab's younger generation from drugs, the government cannot evade its responsibilities. The BJP is committed to freeing Punjab from the scourge of drugs and will continue this fight with the resolve to make Punjab drug-free by 2029. Chugh said that the Bhagwant Mann government must answer to the people of Punjab as to why serious questions continue to arise over the safety of pilgrims and action against drug traffickers. Punjab needs results, not publicity; accountability, not empty promises. The BJP will continue to raise its voice for public welfare, the safety of pilgrims and the secure future of Punjab's youth.