'Prevention Is Better Than Cure': Punjab & Haryana HC Seeks Agriculture University's Advice On Elimination Of Wild Growth Of Cannabis In Cities
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has impleaded Punjab Agriculture University and Haryana Agriculture University to seek its advise on the issue of wild growth of cannabis in the cities.
Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, "Looking to the issue of wild growth of cannabis plants in UT Chandigarh and the State of Punjab, involved herein, it would be appropriate to implead a body which can advise this Court as regards the technical aspects of eliminating the wild growth of cannabis plants. Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, PAU, Ludhiana and HAU, Hisar, through their respective Registrars are impleaded as respondents."
The Court was hearing a suo moto case on the issue of Cannabis plants growing indiscriminately all over the towns.
Previously, the Governments of Punjab, Haryana and UT administration Chandigar informed the Court that to tackle with the problem of wild growth of cannabis in the towns, a committee of experts from the Horticulture Department, Agriculture Department and Agricultural University has been constituted, and advice of the experts has been sought to deal with the issue.
Earlier, the division bench of Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sandeep Moudgil had rapped Chandigarh Administration and Municipal Council for their lackadaisical approach to clearing the wild growth of Cannabis in the city.
"This Court is amazed at such response wherein a casual affidavit has been filed (Municipal Corp.) Such an issue needs to be addressed with all seriousness and a special team of staff including the labour must be deployed to ensure that no such wild growth of cannabis plant ever grows again but it does not seem to be the intention of Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh,” the Court had then observed.
The matter is listed for January 28, for further consideration.
Mr. Anurag Chopra, Addl. Advocate General, Punjab.
Mr. Pawan Girdhar, Addl. Advocate General, Haryana. Mr. Sanjiv Ghai, Advocate,
for UT Chandigarh and M.C. Chandigarh.
Title: Court on its own motion v. State of Punjab and others