Ferozepur: Farmers Welfare Society Punjab demands legalization of khus-khus -poppy cultivation
Ferozepur, September 18, 2020: The demand for legalization of poppy cultivation in Punjab has once again cropped up amid the rampant drug menace and continuing the farm crisis in Punjab. The issue was raised by KIssan Khushal Welfare Society Punjab while addressing the media persons at Press Club, Ferozepur on Friday taking the plea that unlike heroin and smack which are leading to deaths of youths, poppy husk or opium was not deadly and it was the time that the Punjab government should allow farmers to cultivate and sell this crop besides talking about the saving of water and youths of Punjab.
Addressing the media persons, Dr.Ranjit Singh Chairman, Kissan Khushal Welfare Society – KKWS - Punjab said Punjab has witnessed the the various crisis from the external and internal antecedents since the independence of India but none of the government could make the long term strategies for the welfare of the people.
He said, the the groundwater level is going down day by day as it is not being used judiciously at all levels. The paddy sowing in Punjab is playing a major role in deserting the land of Punjab. He said, in case no concrete steps are taken by the government, the coming generations will not curse us rather cry for drinkable water.
Talking about saving the youths from synthetic drugs, he said, around 14 states have allowed the cultivation of poppy seed which is less harmful than the addiction to heroin and smack. He said, even the NDPS Act enforced 32 years back despite stringent provisions could not control the sale of drugs. Thus there is a need to allow poppy cultivation in Punjab, on the pattern of Canada and America. Recently, the death of 130 persons in the hooch tragedy is a glaring example of the consumption of deadly intoxicants. Had the natural intoxicants like a poppy seed – Khas Khas – cultivation allowed, such tragedies could be avoided.
He said it is very unfortunate that no other farmer outfits have come forward on the issue saving water, youths and farmers of Punjab while speaking against the three ordinances and power amendment Bills.
Dr.Ranjit Singh said, our society is working on these important issues for the last five years and organizing, seminars, rallies and knocking the doors of governments to save the water, youths, and farmers of Punjab. He said that the government must conduct a proper survey of addicts so that they could be provided opium or poppy husk instead of synthetic drugs.
He claimed that poppy cultivation could go a long way in addressing the farm crisis as it is used in a number of medicines. The government should have no problem in allowing the farmers to earn from growing khus khus – poppy.
On asking about the support in the coming elections, we will support the party in black and while who will support our ideology.