Dharamshala, June 18
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu administered the oath of office and secrecy to nearly 1,700 newly elected panchayat pradhans and deputy pradhans during a large ceremony held at Dari Mela Ground in Dharamshala.
The event was attended by Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Rajya Sabha MP Anurag Sharma, Congress legislators from Kangra district, senior administrative officials, and a large gathering of elected representatives.
Following the oath-taking ceremony, the Chief Minister, ministers, legislators, officials, and panchayat representatives collectively pledged to work towards building a drug-free Himachal Pradesh.
Addressing the gathering, Sukhu said panchayat representatives serve as the first point of contact for citizens facing local issues and play a crucial role in strengthening democratic governance at the grassroots level. He described pradhans and deputy pradhans as an important link between the public and elected legislators, helping ensure that development schemes reach communities effectively.
The Chief Minister said it was his responsibility to personally administer the oath to newly elected representatives and congratulate them as they begin their public service roles.
Highlighting the state’s anti-drug campaign, Sukhu said the ongoing crackdown on narcotics, particularly chitta, has produced encouraging results. However, he cautioned that sustained public awareness and efforts to rehabilitate young people remain essential to prevent the problem from resurfacing.
He further stated that Himachal Pradesh’s anti-drug initiatives have received appreciation from the Chandigarh office of the Narcotics Control Bureau, which has reportedly encouraged other states to draw lessons from the state’s approach. Sukhu urged panchayat representatives to actively participate in creating a drug-free society and safeguarding future generations.
