Buprenorphine theft exposes governance lapses: Punjab Congress leader Bajwa
The Congress leader highlighted serious security lapses, revealing that the hospital’s medicine store had no CCTV cameras or security guards
Leader of the opposition in the Punjab assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Thursday criticised chief minister Bhagwant Mann over the theft of nearly 11,000 buprenorphine tablets from the Moga civil hospital, terming it a “complete collapse of governance.”
Bajwa said the stolen tablets - valued at around ₹7 lakh - pose a major threat to public safety, as the narcotic-grade drug, used for pain relief and de-addiction, is often misused as a heroin substitute. “This theft has blown the lid off the AAP government’s hollow claims of a drug-free Punjab. Hospitals under his administration are being looted of narcotics - this is negligence of the highest order,” he said.
The Congress leader highlighted serious security lapses, revealing that the hospital’s medicine store had no CCTV cameras or security guards, despite housing controlled substances. Citing similar incidents in Barnala last year, Bajwa alleged ‘systemic failure’ and possible ‘collusion’ within the health department. He demanded a thorough and impartial probe into the case.
“The chief minister’s claims have turned out to be empty rhetoric. Punjab’s de-addiction supply chain stands compromised, accountability is missing, and the illegal drug trade continues to flourish under this government’s apathy,” Bajwa added.
