Fazilka, September 3, 2026:
With the objective of further strengthening the Punjab Government’s anti-drug campaign, ‘War Against Drugs’, at the village level, Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian today chaired a special meeting with members of various Village Defence Committees (VDCs) of the district. During the meeting, he highlighted the important role of villages in completely eliminating drug abuse and held detailed discussions with committee members.The Agriculture Minister said that the government is working to eradicate drugs not to win votes, but to save the future of our youth and coming generations. He said that the drug problem is not merely an issue for the government or police, but a collective challenge for the entire society, which can only be tackled effectively through active public participation.He said that the goal of making villages drug-free should not be linked to any political benefit. “Our real responsibility is to ensure that no young person from our villages falls into the trap of drugs and that our future generations get a healthy, safe and prosperous environment.”During the meeting, the Minister listened carefully to the views and problems raised by members of Village Defence Committees from all blocks of the district and responded to their questions on the spot. He assured the committee members that suggestions coming from the village level regarding the anti-drug campaign would be taken up with full seriousness.While appreciating the role being played by the police and district administration in the anti-drug campaign, he said that along with preventing drug trafficking, awareness and social participation are equally important to keep young people away from drugs.Responding to a question on the occasion, Minister Khuddian directed the SSP Fazilka to increase police deployment at drug de-addiction centres in view of the problems being faced by patients there. He also expressed his appreciation for the cooperation extended by the concerned authorities.Following this, Deputy Medical Commissioner-cum-SMO, Civil Hospital Fazilka, Dr. Eric, stated that there are two government de-addiction centres and four private de-addiction centres operating in Fazilka district. He informed that since January 2025, a total of 90 drug de-addiction awareness camps and seminars have been organized in the district under the drug-free campaign.The Agriculture Minister appealed to the Village Defence Committees to further strengthen the people’s movement against drugs in their respective villages and to immediately inform the police and administration about any activities related to drug peddling. He said that the dream of a drug-free Punjab can only be realized through the collective efforts of the government, police, administration and the general public.On the occasion, Fazilka MLA Shri Narinderpal Singh Sawna, SSP Fazilka Gaganjit Singh, District Planning Board Chairman-cum-District President Upkar Singh Jakhar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Dr. Mandeep Kaur, Abohar constituency in-charge Sivani Doda, and officers from various departments were present
Special Meeting with Village Defence Committees under ‘War Against Drugs’; Minister Appreciates Role of Police and Administration
