Chandigarh, March 12 -- The Punjab government is mulling withdrawing all subsidies from those booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, a step to lend a sharper edge to its recently launched 'War against drugs' in the state.

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann has given an in-principle go-ahead to the proposal that will be taken up in the next cabinet meeting, officials familiar with the move said on Tuesday.

Upon its implementation, the action will strip the persons booked or convicted under the NDPS Act of government subsidies, such as free power and ration.

"It has been found that many drug traffickers are availing government subsidies meant for law-abiding citizens," an official said.

Since the launch of the...