3. Anti-Drug Padyatra in Punjab: Governor’s Call for a ‘Jan Andolan’

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is set to lead a high-profile anti-drug awareness campaign starting February 9, focusing on the strategic border districts to combat substance abuse through community mobilization. Key Highlights of the Campaign • Border District Focus: The intensive campaign centers on a four-day padyatra (foot march) covering the critical districts of Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka, which share an international border with Pakistan and are highly vulnerable to narco-smuggling. • Multi-Pillar Strategy: The Governor emphasized that while law enforcement is necessary, the fight must rest on the pillars of rehabilitation, employment generation, and public awareness to ensure long-term success. • Institutional Support: The initiative is being spearheaded in collaboration with the Punjab Red Cross Society, aiming to transform the state’s struggle against drugs from a government policy into a mass movement (Jan Andolan). • Cross-Border Menace: The campaign addresses the evolving threat of \'Narco-Terrorism,\' where drones are increasingly utilized to drop narcotics and weapons across the border, necessitating heightened community vigilance. • Inclusive Mobilization: Invitations have been extended to all political parties, educational institutions, and NGOs, underscoring that drug abuse is a global challenge that transcends local political divides. • Administrative Leadership: Since taking office, Governor Kataria has proactively used the gubernatorial platform to lead several such awareness walks, including previous marches in the Doaba and Amritsar-Gurdaspur regions. Key Definitions • Padyatra: A traditional Indian method of foot march used to connect directly with the masses for social or political mobilization. • Narco-Terrorism: The use of drug trafficking to fund or support terrorist activities, often involving cross-border smuggling networks. • Village Defence Committees (VDCs): Local community-based groups formed to assist security forces in monitoring suspicious activities, particularly in border areas. Constitutional and Legal Provisions • Article 47 (Directive Principles): Mandates that the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption (except for medicinal purposes) of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health. • Article 163: While the Governor acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, as the Constitutional Head, they often play a \'persuasive\' and \'moral\' role in social welfare initiatives. • NDPS Act, 1985: The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act is the primary central legislation used to curb drug trafficking and provide for the rehabilitation of addicts. • Seventh Schedule (Concurrent List): Both the Centre and States have the power to legislate on issues related to drugs and poisons (Entry 19).UPSC Relevance • GS Paper II: Role of the Governor in state administration; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health. • GS Paper III: Internal Security challenges (Narco-terrorism); Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security; Border area management. • Ethics (GS IV): Role of leadership in social change; Persuasion and social influence in public health crises. Conclusion The Governor’s padyatra serves as a bridge between the constitutional machinery and the grassroots, highlighting the \'Soft Power\' of the gubernatorial office in addressing social evils. By focusing on border districts, the campaign simultaneously addresses a public health crisis and an internal security threat. The success of such missions depends on the effective synergy between strict enforcement by agencies like the BSF and Punjab Police, and the socio-economic reintegration of youth through skill development and employment.