Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann visited the dera of Darshan Dass Maharaj, also known as Dera Sachkhand Nanak Dham, on the occasion of its 38th Guru Gaddi Diwas here on Thursday.
He was accompanied by MLAs Sherry Kalsi, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Gurdeep Singh Randhawa.
The CM refrained from delivering any political speech keeping in view the election code of conduct due to the forthcoming municipal corporation (MC) elections.
A seminar on anti-drugs and the recently passed anti-sacrilege law was held by the organisers. It turned out to be a heavily attended event.
He had confabulations with Tarlochan Dass, the present dera head and son of Darshan Dass and the MLAs. He left after spending about 90 minutes at the venue.
The dera is considered to be a significant spiritual centre. Elaborate security arrangements were made by the Batala police.
The CM added that “the use of drugs had come down substantially and would be completely eradicated in the next few weeks. We have dismantled a significant number of drug networks in the last 437 days. So far, a large number of smugglers have been arrested and we are in the process of demolishing the properties they had amassed by selling narcotics.”
Mann said he had instructed officials to ensure that all Punjabis get their health cards prepared so that they can avail its benefits.
