Chandigarh, July 9:  After facing criticism for ordering a dope test on all government servants, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh issued a clarification saying that workers found positive in the test would not be sacked or punished, rather they would be provided treatment.

The Punjab Chief Minister also assured that the identities of such employees will be kept confidential and the government will pay for the treatment of drug addicts who cannot afford it. "Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has made it clear that government employees who are found positive in the dope test would not be punished or sacked but would be provided treatment, with their identity also being kept confidential", the Punjab CMO statement read.

The chief minister today said the government will pursue its Enforcement-De-Addiction-Prevention (EDP) strategy with vigour in order to eliminate the drug menace from the state. According to a report by PTI, Amarinder also ordered various steps to be taken for further augmenting the government's efforts to ensure strict enforcement of the drug laws, as well as better systems for prevention, de-addiction and rehabilitation.

Singh faced criticism for ordering a dope test on all government servants and later issued a clarification on the same. Earlier in the day, Singh had defended his decision to make dope tests mandatory for policemen and government staff saying that such tests were conducted by the Army as well.  The Punjab Chief Minister blamed concocted drugs for deaths of drug addicts across the state and claimed that the supply chain of hard drugs has been broken.

After the passing out parade at Police Recruit Training Centre in Hoshiarpur on Monday, Singh said scarcity and high prices of drugs was forcing drug addicts to use lethal concoctions of these drugs and the move was much needed to save lives.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2018 09:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).