Amarinder brings in hopes of drug-free Punjab

Congress may have created a landslide victory by sweeping 77 of the 117 Assembly seats in Punjab, but the state battling deep agrarian crisis and scourge of drugs brings a daunting challenge to the party which has promised to make a 'drug-free and debt-free Punjab'.

Inadequate farm income, crop loss and easy availability of loans has thrown farmers into crippling debt and pushed a number of them to the brink of committing suicide. Congress CM candidate Captain Amarinder Singh had begun the campaign with the promise to waive off all farmer debts after wresting power.

"The new government faces a bigger challenge than faced by previous governments, because the problems have compounded over the years. The indebtness of farmers is over Rs 2 lakh crores. The question is how the government will waive off loans, in absence of adequate funds," said noted economist Professor SS Johl, highlighting that the government will have to make some bold decisions, which may not align with its regular political course.

The state has been having a rough ride in recent years, which has aggravated after it became synonymous with the issue of drug abuse. With its farmers reeling under debts, the youth is also struggling to find employment. Unlike Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party ?(SAD-BJP) ?which remained in denial, Congress promised to wipe out drugs within four weeks of coming into power.

But, drugs are a festering problem and solution lies beyond opening up drug de-addiction centres. "First thing is to find out who all are involved in the drug trade. Whosoever they are, they have to pay for it," said Captain Amarinder as he reiterated his stand for a drug-free Punjab.

The party promised to provide a job to at least one youth in every household and bring industries to state. "The question is where will they employ them? When the government has not been able to pay salaries to its existing employees from state exchequer, how will it generate more employment? The task is difficult, but requires planning," said Professor Johl.

The contentious issue of river-water sharing with Haryana and the Supreme Court's verdict in favour of Haryana for construction of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal is also set to pose one of the biggest challenges to the party. With the BJP government in Centre and in power in the neighboring state, Haryana, the outcome depends on the state's dynamics with the Centre.

"Drugs can be controlled, but only if there is a crackdown on drug trafficking and political patronage. But the need is to put Punjab's economy back on track, which also includes agricultural growth. In case of institutional debts of farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced to waive off farmer loans ahead of UP elections and Punjab can expect some gain, but it depends on Captain Amarinder's dynamics with the BJP government at the Centre," said another economist Professor Sucha Singh Gill.

Soon after poll results, Captain Amarinder also made it a point to highlight that he looked forward for a positive interaction with the Union government. "People want jobs, development, industry, better education and we hope the Union government will recognise the demand of people and assist us in bringing a good governance," he said.

Punjab has been caught in a downward spiral in last few years, as it became a symbol of rushing impact of corruption with political hegemony and monopoly over the industrial sector. With Captain Amarinder claiming the 5-year tenure to be his last claim to power and the victory riding on his shoulders, it remains to be seen how he steers the party into fulfilling promises made to people.