Himachal Pradesh Moves to Bar Drug Accused from Panchayat Polls
Himachal Pradesh is taking a strong stance against drug abuse in local governance. The state government announced it will bar individuals booked for trading 'chitta' (heroin) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act from contesting panchayat elections. Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh made this announcement on Wednesday.
Cabinet to Discuss Proposal on January 19
The proposal is slated for discussion in the cabinet meeting on January 19. Minister Singh emphasized the urgency of this measure. He revealed that out of the total 3,577 panchayats in Himachal Pradesh, 264 are most affected by drug abuse. These panchayats are primarily located near state borders.
Shimla district has also faced severe impacts from drug abuse. Authorities are now prioritizing interventions in these high-risk areas to combat the menace effectively.
Anti-Chitta Gram Sabhas Scheduled for January 21-22
To raise awareness and curb drug abuse, the government will conduct anti-chitta gram sabhas across all panchayats on January 21 and 22. These sabhas aim to engage communities directly in the fight against drugs.
Minister Singh added that the state police recently completed a data collection exercise on government officials involved in drug-related activities. This effort has already led to the dismissal of eleven police personnel. Similar actions are currently underway against officials from other government departments linked to the drug trade.
Review of Panchayats with Large Populations
On the formation of new panchayats, the minister said the Chief Minister has directed a review of panchayats with populations exceeding 3,000. The goal is to establish new units where proposals have been submitted. Currently, 31 or 32 panchayats meet this criteria, and the process of creating new panchayats is ongoing.
Panchayat Elections Dependent on Cabinet Decision
The final decision on conducting panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh depends on the council of ministers' decision in the January 19 meeting. The High Court has directed the state government to complete the panchayat election process before April 30, adding pressure for timely action.
This comprehensive approach highlights the state's commitment to cleaning up local governance and tackling the drug crisis head-on. The measures aim to ensure that panchayats remain free from the influence of drug-related activities.
