New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed concern over the rising trade of illicit liquor and drugs and drugs in Punjab and directed the state government to fix the responsibility of the local police for failing to monitor it. A bench led by justice M.R. Shah asked the Punjab government about the specific steps taken to stop the production and sale of illicit liquor. The court will post the matter for further hearing on Monday.
Senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha, appearing for the Punjab government, assured the court that action was being taken by the government and over 13,000 furnaces of illicit liquor had been destroyed so far. “We have nothing to do with the A government or the B government. As far as Punjab is concerned, the problem of drugs is on the rise.
The youth will be finished. It is very unfortunate that this is happening. Who is the victim of this? Poor people. Illegal production and transportation (supply) must be stopped as it ultimately affects health and society. “This is unfortunate and “Punjab is a border state”.
If anyone wants to finish the country, they will start from the borders. It is unfortunate that this is happening. Tell your government to be serious. They should make every effort to save the country as it is very easy to ruin the youth, the court observed.
The bench made the observations while hearing a petition alleging large-scale manufacture and sale of illicit liquor in Punjab besides inter-state smuggling.
Sinha told the top court that more than 36,000 FIRs have been lodged in the last two years. “You (government) are only registering FIRs but according to you, there is one (liquor) furnace in every street and mohalla,” the bench told the government council.