A day after the Punjab government announced that government employees would have to undergo a dope test as part of the anti-drug campaign, Aam Aadmi Party leaders on Thursday demanded that such tests be conducted on Ministers and legislators as well.
AAP MLA Aman Arora gave blood samples for conducting a dope test at a government hospital in Mohali, saying that the party would support any constructive decision of the government to eradicate the drug menace.
“It would have been better had [Chief Minister] Amarinder Singh himself led from the front and undergone a dope test along with his Cabinet colleagues and MLAs… a dope test should be made mandatory for all MLAs and MPs from the State,” said Mr. Arora.
“It is unfortunate that Punjab is witnessing dark days due to the failure of successive governments to check the drug menace. Capt. Singh has also failed to eradicate the drug problem. During the poll campaign, he took an oath, holding the sacred ‘Gutka Sahib’ in his hands, that he would wipe out the drug menace in four weeks… but even after eighteen months in power the ground situation has not changed,” he added.
The Punjab Chief Minister had on Wednesday ordered mandatory dope test on all government employees, including police personnel, from the time of their recruitment through every stage of their service. The Chief Secretary has been asked to work out the modalities and issue the necessary notification in this regard.
“A dope test would be made mandatory for all recruitments as well as promotions to be made by the various Punjab government departments. Dope test would also be made a mandatory part of the annual medical examination of all civilian, police employees of the Punjab government, wherever prescribed,” an official spokesperson had said.
Senior AAP leader H.S. Phoolka termed the government’s decision “good” and offered to undergo the dope test. “Ministers and MLAs are also public servants. They get salary from the government. They are also covered under this order. Ministers and MLAs should first give samples. I have asked Speaker and DC as to where I should report to give my sample for a dope test,” tweeted Mr. Phoolka.
Published - July 05, 2018 11:02 pm IST
