Legalise poppy plantation in Punjab: AAP MLAs

Chandigarh: The demand for legalising poppy cultivation for farmers resounded in the Vidhan Sabha through the voice of MLAs from the ruling AAP here today.

Raising the issue, MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra said, “Historically, ‘post’ or its derivative opium was consumed, in routine, by workers in the fields. We have never heard or read about deaths due to opium usage. At the same time, we are witnessing an alarmingly high number of deaths of youngsters, who are hooked on to synthetic drugs.”

He was supported by MLAs Manjit Singh Bilaspur and Kulwant Singh Bazigar separately during Zero Hour. Pathanmajra said, “Even in case, the state does not wish to allow poppy plantation, it should, at least, allow the poppy vends.”

He said the same had been legalised in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The state also stood to generate revenue. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said, “No, the government does not intend to cultivate poppy in Punjab.”

Minister for Forest and Wildlife Conservation Lal Chand Kataruchak, in reply to a question by Pathanmajra, said “There is no proposal to cut all green eucalyptus trees standing along roads in the state as there is no conclusive scientific study which indicates that the ground water level in Punjab is depleting due to the trees.”

Pathanmajra said it was a matter of concern because one tree consumed1,000 litres of water per day which was adversely affecting the underground water level, so trees should be uprooted.

In reply to a question on bad condition of rest houses along canals by MLA Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Minister for Water Resources Chetan Singh Jouramajra said, “The department has 131 rest houses in this category and a big number among these need repairs. We have selected seven guest houses on priority.”

Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh enquired about prime property in the city being handed over to private players, particularly, in Company Bagh and Maqboolpura areas. Local Government Minister Balkar Singh said he would involve the MLA in the matter and look into the allegations.

PPCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said, “Peace in the state was disturbed. Shops close down early and people are scared to come on the road in the late evenings. FIRs being registered against unrecognized people by the polices make no sense.”