NEW DELHI: Renegade AAP MP in Rajya Sabha Swati Maliwal on Wednesday criticised her own party’s govt in Punjab for not failing to curb drug addiction even as it had been spending crores on advertisements regarding its war on drugs.“In raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate on 22 de-addiction centres in Punjab, it was found that these centres were engaged in supply of drugs rather than de-addiction. Punjab govt is spending crores on hoardings and advertisements but the state is still in the grip of drug menace,” Maliwal said while posing a supplementary question during the Question Hour.“I want to ask the minister if there is some way that the Centre can make Punjab use the drug de-addiction funds for the purpose they are meant, and ensure that the drug de-addiction centres remain focused on de-addiction?” she asked.Acknowledging her concerns, minister for social justice and empowerment B L Verma conceded that drug problem was indeed serious in Punjab. “Drug addiction is prevalent even in Central jails of Punjab. That is why we have set up 10 de-addiction centres in these jails alone,” he said while assuring Maliwal that he will hold a review in the matter raised by her and explore its resolution.Maliwal fell out of favour with her party AAP after she was allegedly assaulted by Bibhav Kumar, personal assistant to then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in May last year at the Chief Minister’s residence. Maliwal reported the incident to the police, leading to the registration of a first information report (FIR). Kumar was arrested soon after but eventually granted bail in September 2024.
