Shadow Correspondnet
Kathua, MAY 30:
Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma today chaired meetings of the District Level NCORD Committee and District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) at the Conference Hall of DC Office Complex.
The meetings were attended by ADC Mahima Madan, GM DIC Mushtaq Choudhary, ASP Sunil Kesar, RTO Surinder Sharma, CMO Dr. Vijay Raina, ACD, ACP, CEO and other concerned officers. Reviewing the NCORD agenda, the Deputy Commissioner took stock of the action taken on decisions of the previous meeting. ADC Mahima Madan informed that extensive awareness activities are being undertaken under the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, with scope for improving further outreach besides reaching out to uncovered and remote areas. The meeting was informed that around 21,000 kg of lahan had been destroyed, 39 litres of illicit liquor seized/destroyed and four working stills dismantled during recent enforcement drives. ASP informed that properties worth nearly ?7 crore belonging to drug peddlers had also been dismantled as part of the intensified crackdown against narcotics networks. The DC stressed the need for sustained surveillance on narco-traffickers and those involved in illicit liquor production and sale. He directed Agriculture, NRLM and other departments to intensify IEC activities, while asking the Lead District Manager to monitor suspicious financial transactions and share inputs with enforcement agencies.
Highlighting the importance of the Nasha Mukt JK Abhiyan, the Deputy Commissioner called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to curb drug abuse. He emphasized the role of schools and colleges in spreading awareness and directed the Education Department to identify vulnerable students, particularly dropouts.
The ACD and ACP were asked to seek regular feedback from Mahila Nigrani Samitis, while the DYSSO was directed to engage youth in sports activities.
All departments were instructed to submit Action Taken Reports with photographs.
Later, chairing the DLCC meeting under NTCP in connection with World No Tobacco Day, observed this year under the theme “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction”, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed tobacco control initiatives in the district.
The meeting was informed that 18 villages have been declared Tobacco-Free Villages. Schools were directed to register on the designated portal/app for monitoring and certification of tobacco-free institutions.
The DC also called for strict enforcement of anti-smoking laws and increased challaning of violators smoking at public places. He urged all stakeholders to work collectively towards building a drug-free and tobacco-free Kathua.
