POPPY CULTIVATION A POLL ISSUE IN HIMACHAL

SHIMLA - The BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency
who is also the sitting MP, Maheshwar Singh, has once again tried to
raise the issue of legitimising the cultivation of poppy and hemp in
the State. During his election meetings, the BJP leader is raising
this issue thereby making the position of Congress tough and forcing
it to take a stand.

Though there is no permission given by the state for the cultivation
of these crops, which ultimately develops into opium and cannabis
plants, thousands of poor farmer families are dependent on its
cultivation. They defend growing these plants, as there is a big
demand of these in the pharmaceutical industry.

Parts of Kullu and Mandi district is conducive for the growth of these
plants which are otherwise poor agricultural tracts and no other cash
crops could be grown. The productivity of traditional Rabi and Kharif
crops is too low and the cash crops like stone fruits and apple are
difficult to grow.

The Narcotics Control Bureau with the help of Himachal police
destroyed these plants from at least 1800 bighas of land from 12
Panchayats, last year.

The areas of Siraj, Malana, Manikaran, Balichowki, Thachi, Kalhani and
Somnachan were targeted by the NCB amidst protest by the farmers.
Cases have been framed against the farmers of these areas. The
authorities say that these plants which are used for making refined
drugs are later used by a large number of foreigners and settlers in
the Kullu-Manali valley.

They are then smuggled out from here and the middlemen in drug cartels
make crores of rupees.

The Congress now is finding it difficult to defend the police action
as a large number of families are dependent on the cultivation of
these crops and they are demanding permission for growing it legally
in their fields.