Captain govt miserably failed to deal with drugs: Dr SS Johl
As per Johl, Punjab government should legalise cultivation of opium as it is a medicinal crop and its intake can keep many serious health issues at bay. It is pertinent to mention that earlier, the former Member Parliament Patiala Dr. Dhramvira Gandhi had also suggested the idea for cultivating the drug which was subsequently backed by the former Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh had turned down the proposal of legalising opium cultivation and had also underscored that a special force has been set up to clamp down on drug menace. Interview with the renowned economist revealed that Captain’s Government has allegedly failed to curb the drug menace in the state.
Q :Captain Amarinder Singh has promised to end drug menace. What are your supposed perceptions? A :Governments come to power and go but their promises remain the same that ‘they will end the drug menace’. The problem is same with the Captain’s government who has miserably failed to deal with drugs, which is on an escalating rise in the state.
Q :Governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have legalised cultivation of opium. Do you think Punjab should follow the same route?
A :Indeed, these governments legalised the opium production and allowed to people who have a proper license and documentations. The same method must be opted by Punjab government. I don’t think there is any problem in cultivating such medicinal crop.
Q :According to media reports, Synthetic drugs like heroin, LSDs are commonly used by the youth of Punjab. How can we stop it?
A :Not only synthetic drugs and heroin but many people are addicted to ‘Iodex’ (Fast relief multipurpose pain balm.) As a spectator, I saw a group of youth huddled up in a street taking Iodex, it wretched my heart, I asked an onlooker man about them and he said when they did not have enough money to purchase drugs like heroin, they use cheap drugs. Shockingly, they also used a lizard to puff as it was also another kind of drug.
Q :Many politicians are named to back such smugglers, to what extent do you agree?
A :Yes, I agree that many politicians are fearlessly backing drug smugglers in the state. Even police and high profile people are also nowadays indulged in the vast network of drugs.
Q :Do you think opium is really good for health and can cure serious health problems without harming us?
A :Yes, it is a natural medicinal crop which is good for blood circulation and knees, especially for elderly people. I believe it is a medicine which should be made legalised in the state. According to me, controlling or banning its sale is no solution as it is a medicine. Moreover, if opium, as medicine, will available to people then cultivation of heroin will never take place. When governments stop sale of genuine drugs, then people, unwantedly, start smuggling it. This is the syndrome which government should control. The only solutions to the issue of drugs are adequate employment and source of entertainment.
Q :How addicts can reduce dependency on drugs? Is there any particular solution to the problem?A :I still remember when I was working with United Nation in Iran, after the working hours in evening, due to non-availability of entertainment source; I started consuming liquor with my colleagues and friends. Later, many people got addicted to consume liquor and the same situation is in Punjab, where unemployed youth get together in the evening and consume drugs instead of milk.
Before elections, I had delivered a lecture in which I mentioned about how we can get the state rid-off from menace of drugs. During the speech in that college, I highlighted the numerous solutions such as providing proper employment and source of entertainment. By adopting this route, drugs in Punjab would definitely see the downfall.
Evening proves to be very dangerous for Punjab youth as most of them want to consume drugs. To end this act, such people should be engaged in some work and government should provide adequate space for playgrounds and library in every nook and corner of the state, so that they should keep themselves engage. Interestingly, if this becomes reality then every youth of Punjab will have milk instead of liquor.
Q :Challenges faced by farmers are major concern for Punjab. What initiatives should be taken to improve their situation?
A :I had pitched a model of Japan, where as many as 95 per cent farmers are successfully working as part time farmer. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, such farmers work on fields of others and later in the day, they do other works.
According to me, there is a need to integrate major sectors, including industrial, service and agriculture. People working in these sectors should be dependent on each other and such a way farmer will not have enough time to move out of his field during the working hours. However, to make it possible, we need political will, which is not present.
Besides, government should motivate small, medium companies and start-ups to come up in villages. The state should give concession, capital subsidies and exemption from taxes to those who are willing to start a company in any village of Punjab. In Himachal Pradesh, whenever an industry is set-up, the government has maintained such laws in which 70 per cent employment should be involved from that particular place. So, Punjab should go the same route for the development of farmers. By doing this, farmers will get themselves involve in various activities and will also find the employment.
If we provide regular income to the small farmers, then the agriculture sector can grow easily.
Q :People are nowadays moving abroad and involved in small jobs, including as cleaner, waiter etc. What are your views?
A :Yes, it is very serious issue. People, mostly, youth prefer to move to foreign countries because opportunities and employment have been finished here. So, they are being forced to study and work in various countries. There is no scope in Punjab of getting better employment opportunities. In the state, if migrants are working in Punjab then why not Punjabis can go to foreign countries.
Q : Arvind Kejriwal and Captain Amarinder Singh approached you during the last State elections, what did they said?
Interestingly, when Amarinder got to know about Kejriwal visited at my place and asked me to join his party; he immediately called me and asked to help him out in his party manifesto. Even, he later sent his two-three associates to convince me. Later, I met Captain and told him that my earlier projects are yet not implemented. Meanwhile, he felt sorry. I asked him politely that are you fearing that what will happen if I join AAP, he said “yes”. But I took him into confidence that I would not join any party and Amarinder told me that it’s enough for him.
So, this was happened at that time when both the counterparts approached me.
Q :Do you think Kothari Commission is boon for youth?
A :Education seemed to be the least priority for this current government, however, the Kothari Commission report is proving boon for youth here. But I don’t think many are following it. Education is primary responsibility of the government and accountability should be fixed. Though, I am not the follower of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, but he has fixed the accountability in the education sector.
