Bengaluru: Expressing grave concern over the drug menace in Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar said Bengaluru will not be allowed to become another 'Udta Punjab' and all necessary steps had been initiated to check transport and sale of banned drugs in the state capital.
Replying to Mr K Pratap Chandrashetty and Mr Ivan D' Souza in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, he said people from other countries were involved in the sale of narcotics near schools and colleges in Bengaluru. Such incidents were being reported even in the coastal districts.
Special forces had been formed to check transport and sale of drugs in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, Punjab had become (in) famous as 'Udtha Punjab' due to high drug abuse among youth in that state. The Karnataka government had taken all preventive steps to prevent Bengaluru from becoming another 'Udtha Punjab,' he said. According to the cops, some miscreants distribute chocolates laced with drugs among schools/colleges children free of cost for two to three days and get them addicted. Such incidents had been unearthed by policemen in plain clothes. Vigilance had been stepped up at all educational institutions in the country to ensure that children are kept away from this addiction.
The home minister said after the coalition government came to power, 56 cases had been booked and narcotics worth Rs 5 crore had been seized. A few medical colleges had been booked for selling the banned drugs. This was indeed a major cause of concern.
In the last three years, 2,484 cases had been registered under NDPS Act. Conviction had happened in 142 cases and 40 cases were rejected due to lack of witnesses. The remaining cases were under investigation.
Survey to assess illegal constructions in IT city soon
Admitting that more and more illegal constructions are coming up in and around Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar, who also holds the portfolio of Bengaluru development, said that a comprehensive survey will be taken up to assess illegal constructions in the city.
Replying to a debate on a calling attention motion by BJP member A. Devegowda in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, Dr Parameshwar said due to growing illegal constructions in Bengaluru, the government has decided to conduct a survey of illegal constructions through a private agency.
He admitted that the government had to contend with contradictions in the rules as it has to deal with regularisation of unauthorized constructions and also discuss the demolition of unauthorized constructions. There is a need for a comprehensive bill to deal with the issue, Dr. Parameshwar opined.
