Sidhu to push for death penalty for drug traders

ZIRA(FEROZEPUR): CLAIMING that the Congress government in Punjab has reduced the problem of drug abuse, local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday suggested that the next step should be to have the provision for capital punishment to traders of narcotics.

At a rally at Zira, 35 km from district headquarters Ferozepur, he said, “Such anti-social elements should have more fear of law; hence, on the lines of neighbouring Haryana, where it has been decided to have capital punishment for rape of girls aged 12 or below, Punjab should make such a law for drug traders.” Haryana’s cabinet has okayed such a change in section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, but it needs further ratification. “I will propose death penalty to drug traders in the next cabinet meeting,” he said.

On other issues, such as encroachment of government land, Sidhu said he had asked CM Capt Amarinder Singh to set up a “reinforcement wing”. “To keep a check on illegal construction and loss of revenue, satellite mapping will prove very effective,” he added, citing that, “in Ludhiana alone, earlier tax was collected from 90,000 properties; after satellite mapping it went up to 3 lakh”.

Meanwhile, in a political developement, Sidhu proposed the name of Inderjit Singh Zira, a former minister and the father of local MLA Kulbir Zira, as party nominee from Khadoor Sahib seat in the Lok Sabha poll due next year. In response to a demand to restart the loca sugar mill, Sidhu said he will take up the matter. He also gave a grant of Rs 6.1 crore for areas of Zira.