KISHTWAR, March 1: Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma chaired a meeting of the District-Level Coordination Committee to review ongoing efforts to curb drug abuse and strengthen anti-drug initiatives in the district.
The meeting assessed progress under the "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan" (Drug-Free India Campaign), with the District Social Welfare Officer presenting an Action Taken Report on previous decisions. The DC reviewed vulnerable areas, affected age groups, and enforcement measures, and called for intensified prevention, rehabilitation, and awareness efforts.
Directing strict implementation of the IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) campaign, he warned against non-compliance and instructed authorities to declare remaining schools as "Tobacco-Free Zones" as per guidelines. He also asked SDMs (Sub-Divisional Magistrates) and Tehsildars (Revenue Officers) to declare Panchayats ("village councils") "Nasha Mukt" (Drug-Free) following due procedure.
To enhance surveillance, the DC ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in identified hotspots and stressed close monitoring of suspicious drug consignments, especially those routed through courier services.
Senior district officers from various departments attended the meeting.
