Congress leader Randeep Surjewala hit out at the Khattar government on the issue of unemployment. (File photo)
Congress today attacked the BJP government in Haryana, alleging that its "incompetence" pushed the state's youth into the "dangerous web of drug abuse" and demanded a white paper on the matter.
"Malgovernance and incompetence of the BJP government has pushed the youth of Haryana into the dangerous web of drug abuse. The Modi government at the Centre and the Khattar government in Haryana have utterly failed in providing avenues of employment or jobs to the young," AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a statement.
Referring to the death of three youths during the ongoing police recruitment in Kurukshetra, Mr Surjewala said, "Terribly shocking events of drug abuse have proved that youth of Haryana are being pushed into intoxicant abuse by a cartel of drug mafia."
"More than five lakh youths in Haryana applied for recruitment in police. Deeply saddening is the fact that three youth have already lost their lives in painful circumstances," he said.
"This proves beyond doubt that the drug trade and drug mafia rules the roost in Haryana under active protection while the Khattar government refuses to wake up from its slumber," he alleged.
Mr Surjewala hit out at the Khattar government on the issue of unemployment.
"Spurt in crime in Haryana is a consequence thereof. In last 18 months of Khattar government, not a single youth of Haryana has been given employment while nearly 25,000 young people including guest teachers/computer teachers/daily wage employees have lost their livelihood," Mr Surjewala claimed.
"Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has himself declared in a public meeting at Kaithal that it is not possible to give more than 40 government jobs per district per year," he said.
Mr Surjewala said, "Khattar government should issue a white paper bringing out the actual position of Haryana's youth, who have been pushed into drug abuse. Simultaneously, action taken against the drug mafia, their numbers and details must also form part of the white paper for knowledge of people of Haryana."
He also sought formation of a Special Task Force comprising "capable and honest" police officers headed by a DGP/ADGP rank officer.
He also criticised the government for allegedly "creating a bitter caste division and an atmosphere of distress and fear dissuading the industry from setting up any new unit or project."
"In order to tackle the menace of drug abuse, the BJP government must immediately call an all-party meeting to decide upon the steps and forward strategy. The government must take into confidence various NGOs and involve them in this campaign," Mr Surjewala said.
"Until the youth of Haryana get employment, BJP must provide them unemployment allowance of Rs 9,000 per month as promised in their election manifesto," he said.
Meanwhile, Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Simardeep Singh said there is a "difference" between the consumption of drugs which come under the NDPS Act, and the medicines which are used by the youths to enhance their performance in the recruitment test.
He said some candidates are using a few medicines on the basis of hearsay in the hope to complete 5 kms of race within stipulated time.
The SP was asked whether candidates were using drugs or performance enhancing medicines during recruitment drive.
He said police have started taking action against such persons and two candidates were found possessing these medicines.
As this violation do not become a crime under the NDPS Act, the case of these two candidates have been put before Haryana Public Service Commission for suitable action.