Amarinder Singh holds session with youth of Punjab

Chandigarh, Apr 1: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today held an interactive session with the youth while expressing his views on drugs, education, farming and corruption.

'Coffee with Captain' was an interactive session here between Singh and the youth of Punjab where the former directly answered the questions posed by the latter.

The event attracted many students of 28 prominent colleges of Chandigarh and Mohali who quizzed Singh on issues affecting the state.

The students asked questions on issues of drug menace, farmer suicides, low quality of education, corruption and unemployment.

On the drug menace, Singh said 78 per cent of the population in Punjab was under the influence of drugs, and if elected to power, he would work towards making de-addiction centres more robust.

"Currently, there are only 11 psychiatric care centres for 22 districts in Punjab. Increasing them and making them effective would be one of his priorities," he said.

He promised to put an end to the drug menace in 4 weeks. Singh said that he has advised the Central government on National Drug Policy.

Talking about education, he said the problem of increasing private colleges and the fall in their quality needs to be checked.

Singh suggested that subject and sector specialists should be on institution's board and be appointed as officials to improve the quality of education, and also fast-track the process of placements and opportunities.

On the issue of corruption, he said the only solution to it was "strict and stringent law". Speaking on allegations of corruption against him, he said he had "nothing to hide" and that law will take its own course.

If elected, he would appoint an independent Lokpal that would take strong action against the corrupt. Singh supported the Swaminathan Committee report saying that Swaminathan had ushered in green revolution in Punjab and was an "unmatched expert".

The Centre should use and implement his recommendations, he said. Addressing the problem of farmers' suicide, he said if elected he would introduce a bill to stop land auctions and would also make amendments in the current farming policies.

Over the issue of unemployment, Singh said he would provide a level-playing field of opportunity for everyone when it comes to employment and end the state's interference in such matters. He also said it was important to let industries and private sector players invest in the state.

PTI