Jagraon, Punjab (October 26, 2013): Apparently overenthusiastic Sukhbir Badal, Badal Dal president and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, said at Jagraon on October 25, 2013 that the Punjab government would widen roads so much that there would be no accidents even if people drive after getting drunk. His statement reflects deputy CM’s level of seriousness about the problem of use of intoxicants and drugs in Punjab.
As per information speaking at a Punjab-level function o distribute bicycles to school girls studding at senior secondary level, Sukhbir Badal said: “our roads will become wider in coming years and we are going to spend around 1400 crore rupees on upgrading the infrastructure”. He further said that: “Sadkan eniyan chauriyan ho jangiyan ke tusin daru pi ke gaddi chalaoge, phir vi koi accident nahin howega”. (The raods will become so wide that there will be no accident even if you drive after getting drunk).
According to media reports Sukhbir’s statement left many women shocked and men smiling. According to Indian Express (IE) one person remarked: “Now the deputy CM is also endorsing drink driving. So go ahead, why fear?”.
Sukhbir is becoming known for making these type of statements. Few years back during a “Durg-free Punjab” program organized by Badal Dal’s student wing “Students Organization of India” (SOI) Sukhbir Badal had said that alcohol was not an intoxicant. “Sharab Kehra Nasha Hundi Ka?” he had replied to the query of a local journalist that SOI’s head was a liquor dealer while Sukhbir was entrusting SOI with campaign against intoxicants.