HC SEEKS FRESH STATUS REPORT FROM MHA

The Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday directed ministry of home affairs (MHA) to file a status report regarding recommendations of the BSF to seal the international border with Pakistan to thwart attempts of smuggling.

The order came during the resumed hearing of a suo motu petition in which the high court is monitoring steps taken by Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to fight drug menace.

It was in May 2016 that the Centre had told the court that it proposed to spend over ₹3,000 crore on creating border infrastructure in Punjab and Rajasthan to stop smuggling of drugs and infiltration. It included construction of 1,426 km of lateral and 752 km of axial roads in Punjab and Rajasthan at an estimated cost of ₹2,990 crore while another ₹303 crore on upgrade of border floodlights in Punjab, the Centre had told.

Meanwhile, the high court bench of justice Surya Kant and justice Sudip Ahluwalia also sought a comprehensive plan on improving functioning of de-addiction centres from Punjab and Haryana and also asked Punjab to check as to why addicts are lined up for admission to private centres, whereas there is no similar enthusiasm for government run centres. It also asked as to why the Red Cross can’t be roped in for setting up such centres. The HC also asked Punjab and Haryana to check whether the medicine shops are being run by those who secure licenses from authorities or others, besides checking as to whether all those running such shops had valid licenses. A status report has been sought by July. HTC