Shimla, June 15
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu administered an anti-drug pledge to newly elected Panchayat representatives in Shimla as oath-taking ceremonies for Panchayat Pradhans and Up-Pradhans were held across 11 districts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday. Kangra district will hold its oath-taking ceremony on June 18, with the Chief Minister scheduled to administer the oath.
Following the recently concluded Panchayat elections, a total of 3,754 Panchayat Pradhans and an equal number of Up-Pradhans were elected across the state. Oath-taking ceremonies were organised in 11 districts, covering 2,909 Panchayats, while Kangra district’s ceremony has been scheduled separately.
In Shimla district, Education Minister Rohit Thakur administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly elected representatives from 441 Panchayats during a ceremony held at Peterhoff. The newly elected representatives pledged to work towards rural development, transparent governance, and public welfare in their respective areas. Panchayati Raj institutions are considered the foundation of grassroots democracy and local self-governance in the state.
During the Shimla event, Chief Minister Sukhu also administered a special pledge under the state’s anti-drug campaign aimed at making Himachal Pradesh free from the menace of narcotics. The initiative seeks to strengthen awareness against drug abuse at the village level and encourage community participation in combating the problem.
The Chief Minister urged Panchayat representatives to play an active role in raising awareness among youth, preventing drug abuse, and supporting efforts to curb the sale and consumption of narcotics in their areas.
