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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Shandil urges youth to stay away from drugs
Shimla: Health and family welfare minister Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil (retd) on Wednesday administered an oath against drug abuse and illegal trafficking to the youth from various educational institutions under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' and listed various initiatives being taken by the state govt to make Himachal Pradesh drug-free. The minister urged the youth, women, officials, employees, and people of Himachal to stay aware of the harmful effects of drugs, take active part in the campaign, and show united commitment against drug abuse. He said the directorate of Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, OBCs, Minorities, and the Specially Abled (ESOMSA) was working with NITI Aayog, the national dependence treatment centre at AIIMS Delhi, and PGIMER Chandigarh to prepare a detailed state action plan for drug prevention. Action against drugs Shandil said the state govt had taken strict action against drugs as two bills were passed recently in the legislative assembly against the drug abuse and related crimes. These bills include provisions of death penalty, life imprisonment, fine up to Rs 10 lakh, confiscation of property, rehabilitation, preventive education, and livelihood support, he informed. Under the PIT NDPS Act, the Himachal Pradesh Police have seized illegal property worth Rs 42 crore, identified the property of 70 traffickers, and detained 44 notorious drug peddlers, the minister added. He further said a campaign was being actively run at the panchayat level to identify smugglers, and drug consumers. A special task force has been formed to focus on anti-drug operations, and 13 police stations have been notified for this purpose. De-addiction centres A 100-bed, fully equipped, modern de-addiction centre will be set up at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district, said Shandil, adding that Rs 5.34 crore has already been approved for the project. He also informed that de-addiction and rehabilitation centres were already operational in the state – four for men in Kullu, Una, Hamirpur, and Kangra districts, and one for women run by the Red Cross Society in Kullu district. For counselling of the youth, 108 new 'Disha' centres have been set up in health institutions, and ASHA workers, doctors, and psychiatrists are also being specially trained for this purpose, the minister added. MSID:: 123278955 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches e-Kalyan portal
Shimla: Chief minister on Monday launched the e-Kalyan portal of the department for the empowerment of scheduled castes, other backward classes, minorities, and specially abled (ESOMSA). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The portal has been developed under Him-Parivar. The e-Kalyan portal will enable all eligible applicants of the state to apply online for benefits under various pension schemes run by the directorate of ESOMSA. Providing social security pensions to the needy was one of the top priorities of the state govt, said Sukhu. The CM highlighted that eight pension schemes were currently operational in the state to benefit the vulnerable sections of society. He said Rs 1,410 crore was spent on these schemes during the last financial year, benefiting over 8.24 lakh individuals. Sukhu further said an additional 37,000 beneficiaries would be included under the social security pension schemes during the current financial year, on which an additional expenditure of Rs 67 crore would be incurred. The e-Kalyan portal is integrated with databases such as Him Bhoomi, Him Parivar, Aadhaar, and PDS ration card. Applicants can apply directly or through Lokmitra Kendras by visiting The initiative will discourage applicants from visiting govt offices for certification or submission of applications. Updates regarding application errors, verification, and approvals will be sent digitally, allowing applicants to track their applications from home, said the CM. Social justice and empowerment minister Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil (retd), industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, and PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh were also present. MSID:: 120696661 413 |
