The Chief Minister urged people, especially the youth, to actively participate in efforts against addiction and support the campaign for a drug-free state.
File image: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar speaks to the media in Bengaluru. (ANI Video Grab)
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has issued a strict warning over allegations of intoxicating substances being mixed with pan masala and gutka, saying the state government will ban such products if traces of narcotics are found in them.
Addressing the 31st Foundation Day celebrations of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ programme at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, CM Shivakumar said the government is committed to making Karnataka free from drug abuse.
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Highlighting concerns over the alleged mixing of intoxicants in commonly sold products, CM Shivakumar said immediate action would be taken if such practices are confirmed.
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“It has come to my notice that intoxicating substances are being mixed and sold in pan masala, gutka, arecanut and other products. If this is true and not stopped immediately, the sale of all kinds of pan masala and gutka products will be banned in Karnataka,” the CM warned.
The Chief Minister urged people, especially the youth, to actively participate in efforts against addiction and support the campaign for a drug-free state.
“Our goal is to create a drug-free Karnataka. We are organising programmes for this. I welcome that you have all come together to organise the Nasha Mukt Bharat convention. You are all ambassadors of this,” he said.
CM Shivakumar described preventing drug addiction as a major challenge and stressed the need for collective responsibility to protect young people.
“Preventing drug addiction is a big challenge, and we must all come together to ensure the youth do not fall into this trap. This is everyone’s duty. I congratulate you for choosing the profession of saving lives,” he added.
Speaking about medical education, CM Shivakumar said Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences is the country’s largest health university and has produced the highest number of doctors.
“Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences is the largest health university in the country and has produced the most doctors. Our state has 70 medical colleges; no other state in the country has this many. I thank Veerappa Moily for starting this RGUHS,” he said.
Calling Karnataka the “medical capital of India”, the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s healthcare infrastructure and accessibility of medical education.
“Medical education should be accessible to all. The climate of Bengaluru is not found in any other part of the country. That is why it is called an air-conditioned city. No other state has as many hospitals as Karnataka. Karnataka is also the medical capital of India. This university will be shifted to a new campus in Bengaluru South district,” the CM added.
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