Fearing a resumption of poppy smuggling in the state, the Punjab government on Monday expressed unhappiness over the reopening of poppy vends in neighbouring Rajasthan.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the reopening of poppy vends "unfortunate" and said that the Supreme Court had earlier ordered the closure of these vends across the desert state.
"In a democratic country, two different laws cannot exist on the same issue. The Punjab government is exploring the legal angle in this situation," Badal told reporters here after a foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Central University of Punjab at Ghudda village near here.
"Punjab is a victim of wrong policies dealing with drug addiction. Drugs are not produced in Punjab in any form. There should be a uniform policy on drugs applicable to all states," Badal said.
Punjab is facing a big problem due to drug abuse, particularly in rural areas and among youths.