As voting for the Punjab elections have kicked off, number of people from all the age groups are turning up to vote. The list also includes those youngsters who are casting their votes for the first time and like every other voter they also have expectations from the government and also want to tell what they are hoping from it. The main issue seems to be the employment opportunities in the state.
One of such voter at a polling booth in Lambi said,”The concern is not whose government comes to power in the state, youth in Punjab wants employment.” Moreover, some studies reveal that the problem of unemployment in Punjab is the reason for growing drug menace in the state, therefore showing direct relation between the unemployment and drug problem.
No matter whose govt comes in power, youth wants employment: First time voter at a polling booth in Lambi #PunjabPolls2017 pic.twitter.com/NkzZEtYzul
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 4, 2017
As per the survey on Punjab Opioid Dependency, conducted by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS states that it is the youth from a lower middle class background who has access to limited education and has no employment is the largest consumer of drugs in Punjab.
During campaigning Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi while raising concern on on the growing menace of drugs had promised that if his party comes to the power, it will bring into force an anti-drug law that will make everyone shiver at the very first thought of drugs. He added “Four years back, I said that 70 per cent youth are affected by drugs at that time Badals made fun of me. Now whole Punjab is saying what I had said,”.
Voting in Punjab till 3.30 pm, had recorded an overall voter turnout of 55%.
