Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema announced in the Assembly on Wednesday that the state will conduct its first-ever drug census to combat drug addiction. The census will cover every household to assess the prevalence of drugs, the use of de-addiction centers, and the socio-economic impact of addiction. Cheema stated that the collected data would help in formulating a scientific and effective strategy to eradicate drug abuse.
During his Budget speech, Cheema emphasized that the initiative is part of the government’s ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign. Alongside the drug census, the AAP government’s budget prioritizes education, healthcare, fiscal stability, and the welfare of farmers. Presenting a budget of Rs 2.36 lakh crore, Cheema described it as a “Badalda Punjab Roadmap for 2025-26.”
The government also announced plans to strengthen security along the India-Pakistan border by deploying 5,000 home guards to assist the Border Security Force. For the industrial sector, which contributes 27 percent to Punjab’s economy, an additional incentive of Rs 250 crore has been allocated.
To steer the youth away from drugs, the government proposed the construction of playgrounds and indoor gyms in every village. A pilot project in Tarn Taran district has already seen 87 playgrounds built. A total of 3,000 indoor gyms are planned across the state.
Responding to the Budget, state Education Minister Harjot Bains highlighted the allocation of Rs 979 crore for sports, the highest in Punjab’s history. He claimed that this allocation surpasses what the Akali-BJP and Congress governments spent on sports over the past decade.
