Taking its war on drugs forward, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ordered a mandatory dope test on all government employees, including police personnel, from the time of their recruitment through every stage of their service.
The move follows Congress' well thought out political strategy to go all out to crush the drug business. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has approved of the party-led government's stringent anti-dope measures in the state.
A statement from the office of the Chief Minister today directed the Chief Secretary to work out the modalities and have the necessary notification issued in this regard.
We've decided to go for dope tests for all govt. employees, including policemen, as part of our fight against drugs. I've asked the Chief Secy. to work out modalities for screening of employees at the time of recruitment, promotion and annual medical examination where applicable.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 4, 2018
The official spokesperson of the government said the CM ordered drug screening to be mandatorily done in all cases of recruitment and promotions, as well as the annual medical examination that certain employees are required to undergo in accordance with the nature of their duties.
"Dope test would be made mandatory for all recruitments as well as promotions to be made by various Punjab government departments. Dope test would also be made a mandatory part of the annual medical examination of all civilian and police employees of the Punjab government, wherever prescribed," the CM office said.
The move is part of the series of initiatives taken by the Chief Minister over the last three days to eliminate the drug menace from Punjab.
The orders came on the day when the Chief Minister formally communicated his Cabinet's recommendation to the Centre, seeking amendment to the NDPS Act to provide for death penalty for first-time offenders too.
Have today written to @HMOIndia Sh. @rajnathsingh ji conveying my Government's recommendation for approving death penalty to drug-related-offenders on first conviction only. We are firm in our resolve to wipe out the menace of drug abuse from Punjab. pic.twitter.com/tEugze0jXq
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 4, 2018
The Chief Minister has already issued a strict warning to drug smugglers and peddlers to give up their nefarious activities or face stringent action.
