Chandigarh, November 1
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge and Chief Spokesperson for the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, Baltej Pannu, on Sunday said that opposition parties had become completely rattled by the exemplary work undertaken by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government for the development of the state and public welfare. The AAP Punjab Media In-charge pointed out revolutionary achievements such as increasing the reach of canal water to agricultural fields from 22% to 88%, providing 600 units of free electricity to ordinary citizens, offering health cards providing cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh, and transferring financial assistance directly into women’s bank accounts have left the opposition with no issues to raise.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge and Yudh Nashean Virudh Chief Spokesperson Baltej Pannu, said, “During the Akali-BJP alliance’s rule from 2007 to 2017, the word ‘Chitta’ was heard for the first time on the sacred soil of Punjab, and it gradually began destroying the state’s youth. Subsequently, in 2017, Captain Amarinder Singh took a false oath on the holy Gutka Sahib to secure votes, but after winning the election, he sat in his new palace, abandoned the government at the behest of his friend and failed to take any concrete steps against drugs.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge said, “After the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government came to power in 2022, the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign was launched through proper planning and a multi-pronged strategy. The positive role of the Punjab Police, the alertness of the civil administration and the collective participation of the general public have played a crucial role in this fight. More than one lakh citizens across the state have joined Village Defence Committees and Ward Defence Committees as members and are supporting the government.”
Referring to an important decision taken at the Cabinet meeting, the AAP Punjab Media In-charge said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, approval has been granted to establish 35 new dedicated NDPS Courts to ensure speedy disposal of drug-related cases. A total of 385 new posts, including 35 Additional District and Sessions Judges, have been approved for this purpose.”
Explaining the need for dedicated courts, Pannu said, “Approximately 20,000 NDPS (National Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases are registered annually in the state, leading to around 27,000 arrests. Of these, 12,000 cases are taken up by Sessions Courts, but due to the workload on other courts, only 5,700 cases could be disposed of. As of August 31, 2026, the number of pending cases had reached 52,777, and their disposal could take up to eight years. The establishment of these special and dedicated courts will ensure fast-track hearings of these cases.”
Citing court records and figures published by The Indian Express, the Yudh Nashean Virudh Chief Spokesperson said, “Owing to the honest, accurate and timely investigations conducted by the Punjab Police and the presentation of solid evidence, Punjab now has the highest conviction rate in NDPS cases in the entire country. During the Congress government’s tenure, the conviction rate was merely around 58%. Compared to the period from 2017 to 2023, the total number of NDPS cases and arrests increased by 40% to 45% during the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government’s tenure from 2022 to 2026.”
Sharing details of the conviction rate, Pannu said, “The conviction rate stood at 80% in 2022, with 3,870 convictions out of 4,812 cases, 81% in 2023, 85% in 2024 and 88% in 2025, with 6,488 convictions out of 7,373 cases. In early 2026, out of 1,831 cases disposed of, convictions were secured in 1,634 cases, taking the conviction rate to 89%. Once the 35 dedicated NDPS Courts become operational, this conviction rate will reach 100%.”
Emphasising the zero-tolerance policy of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government against drugs, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “During the tenure of previous governments, whenever drug smugglers such as Raja Kandola, Bhola or Sarpanch Rano were arrested, their photographs with ruling party leaders would immediately surface. However, since 2022, not to speak of photographs, not even the names of any of our ministers, MLAs or office-bearers have surfaced anywhere in connection with such cases.”
Pannu said, “CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has issued clear instructions that no recommendation or political interference by any office-bearer will be tolerated at any police station or court in matters related to drugs.”