Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 26 Aug: Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami today issued firm directives to launch an extensive and coordinated campaign aimed at achieving a drug-free Uttarakhand. He also stressed on the urgency of the issue while chairing a high-level meeting convened at his official residence here today.
Emphasising on the need for uncompromising enforcement under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Dhami instructed officials to take the strictest possible action against drug peddlers and traffickers, while also reinforcing the Anti-Narcotics Task Force with additional personnel and resources wherever required.
During the meeting, the CM also called for widespread promotion of the National Narcotics Helpline ‘Manas’1933, urging the departments concerned to ensure that the helpline is well-publicised across urban and rural areas so that citizens can easily report drug-related offences. He directed the police, health, education, social welfare, and youth welfare departments to collaborate on organising joint workshops and awareness programmes, with a special focus on the educational institutions. He asserted that the schools and colleges, must be made focal points for preventive education to shield the youth from the lure of narcotics.
Dhami also directed heightened vigilance in border districts to curb the inflow of drugs from the neighbouring states and directed the related law enforcement agencies to intensify night patrols and take stringent action against drunk driving. He reiterated that the campaign must be robust, inclusive, and sustained, involving civil society, local bodies, and community organisations. The CM also stressed on the importance of expanding de-addiction centres and equipping them with modern facilities to support rehabilitation efforts.
During the meeting, he also stressed on promoting indigenous products. He stated that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Urban Development Department should serve as the nodal agency for a state-wide awareness campaign promoting indigenous goods. He noted that the adoption of locally produced items not only strengthens the economy but also fosters a sense of self-reliance and cultural pride among citizens.
Progress of Operation Kalnemi, a parallel initiative targeting anti-social elements operating under false identities, was also reviewed by the CM during the meeting. It was shared that, as per the official data, over 4,000 persons have been verified as Kalnemis across the state, and more than 300 have been arrested. It was pointed out that Haridwar, Dehradun, and Udham Singh Nagar have emerged as key districts in this crackdown, with significant numbers of verifications and detentions reported.
Among those present at the meeting included Principal Secretaries RK Sudhanshu and R Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Additional Director Generals of Police (ADGs) V Murugesan and AP Anshuman, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, IG-Garhwal Rajeev Swaroop, Special Secretary Parag Madhukar Dhakate and Additional Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari.
