Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, January 14
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a state-wide campaign to combat the growing menace of chitta (synthetic drugs), extending its efforts down to the village level in a bid to curb addiction through community participation. State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said the campaign would be anchored in local self-governance institutions, with a special discussion scheduled in general house meetings of panchayats on January 21. Out of the state’s 3,777 gram panchayats, 264 have been identified as being particularly affected by chitta, he said, adding that these areas would see intensified awareness and intervention programmes.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, he said the government would combine public awareness initiatives with sports events to steer young people away from drug abuse. A prize fund of 2.1 million rupees has been earmarked to encourage youth participation in such activities. He issued a stern warning that any government employee or official found involved in the drug trade would face strict legal action, including the seizure of assets. “There will be no leniency,” he said.
Reacting to comments by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on the role of officers from outside the state, Anirudh Singh described the remarks as unfortunate. He said ministers should not shift blame onto officials to hide their own shortcomings, and that effective governance required the ability to get work done through the administrative system.
The minister also questioned the functioning of the National Highways Authority of India over damage caused to houses during four-lane road construction in Shimla’s Sanjauli area. He said a report had been forwarded to the minister, and that affected buildings in the Chalonthi area were being acquired. On the issue of panchayat elections, he said the government was studying a recent court ruling and that the matter would be discussed in the next cabinet meeting before any decision was taken.
