294 wannabe cops fail dope test across Punjab on Day 1
CHANDIGARH: What is being touted as the largest ‘sample survey’ of the drug addiction reality in Punjab, the state police on Wednesday started dope tests on the first lot of 4.7 lakh male aspirants for 6,250 constable posts.
As many as 7,800 candidates were tested across the state on day one. Of these, 294 failed the dope test. Of these, 121 (1.5%) were found to be under the influence of the dangerous habit-forming drugs while the others had used non-addictive performance-enhancing drugs for physical trials.
The whole of July will see almost 4.7 lakh male applicants undergo a five-drug dope test that is being conducted by the Baba Farid University of Medical Sciences, Faridkot. Women candidates (almost 1.23 lakh) do not have to undertake the dope test. All applicants are below the age of 28.
The police recruitment dope test, the first-of-its-kind in India, comes at a time when the Akali government is facing acute criticism over rampant drug addiction in the state. The unique move is expected to settle the controversy over the issue. Politically, the final results of these tests could end up either providing additional ammunition to the opposition or support the Akali claim that the drug issue has been blown out of proportion.
“Anyone from the public, media or politician of any party is free to go to places where the physical trials and dope-testing is going on and check how the tests are being done. There is complete transparency,” said the deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday. The entire recruitment procedure is also being recorded.
Around 400 applicants were called at each of the 27 trial locations. Other than the dope test, candidates had to undertake a 1,600-metre race, long and high jumps besides 500 sit-ups.
Of the 294 who tested positive, 121 were consuming opium, marijuana or addictive pain killers. Another 173 had consumed amphetamines or performanceenhancers which are non-addictive and used by the candidate to do better in the physical trials. Candidates failing the dope test have been offered another chance to undergo the test at the Baba Farid University’s deaddiction centre.
4.7 LAKH MALE APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO DOPE TEST BEING CONDUCTED BY BABA FARID VARSITY