Chandigarh, Aug 28 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini told the Assembly on Wednesday that Sirsa district continues to face serious risks of drug trafficking because of its location along the Punjab and Rajasthan borders.
Responding to a query raised by Congress MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal from Ellenabad about government measures to tackle drug abuse, Saini said the state had adopted a three-pronged approach of “strict enforcement, community awareness, and rehabilitation initiatives” to contain both supply and demand.
According to the written reply tabled in the House, law enforcement registered 952 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Sirsa between January 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, leading to 1,680 arrests. Seizures during this period included 19 kg of heroin, 40 kg of ganja, 49 kg of opium, and 24 grams of cocaine. Police also confiscated 8,073 tablets, 30 capsules and two bottles of pharmaceutical drugs.
The government further reported that 23 habitual traffickers had been detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in NDPS Act (PIT NDPS) this year. Police in Dabwali sealed 38 medical stores until July 31 on charges of illegal distribution of restricted substances.
While the House reviewed the drug control situation, it also turned its attention to the role of the media in shaping public perception of crime. In a significant move, the Haryana Assembly unanimously passed a resolution directing media outlets not to glorify criminals or gangsters.
Moving the resolution, Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar argued that “glorifying criminals projects their image as heroes in the minds of the youth,” which could have dangerous social consequences. The resolution specifically stated that names and photographs of gangsters “should not be published under any circumstances.”
Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan endorsed the measure, assuring members that the resolution would be conveyed to all media platforms on behalf of the Assembly. A government spokesperson later confirmed that the directive sought to “consciously discourage the tendency of glorifying criminals.”
The day’s proceedings also saw a sharp exchange over sports policy. Congress MLA Induraj Singh Narwal submitted a calling attention notice alleging discrimination in the state’s distribution of cash awards and government jobs to medal-winning athletes.
Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam dismissed the charge, saying the record since 2014 showed otherwise. “Since 2014, a total of 16,409 sportspersons have been given cash awards amounting to more than ₹641 crore,” Gautam told the House.
He detailed that Haryana’s policy consistently rewarded medal winners in the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian and Para Asian Games, and other international championships. According to him, Olympic medal winners have been granted ₹6 crore, ₹4 crore, and ₹2.5 crore respectively for gold, silver, and bronze, while participants receive ₹15 lakh each.
Gautam said, “Our government has followed the policy without discrimination. We have ensured that every medal-winning sportsperson is recognised and rewarded appropriately.”
The triple focus on drug control, responsible media conduct, and sports recognition marked a packed legislative session, with the government stressing its resolve to address both law enforcement challenges and the aspirations of Haryana’s youth.
