Latest news with #YudhNashianDeVirudh
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab government plans skill development programme for rehabilitated drug addicts
Chandigarh: Amid the ongoing "Yudh Nashian De Virudh" campaign, the Punjab govt is considering the launch of a comprehensive skill development programme to aid the reintegration of individuals recovering from substance abuse into mainstream society. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A high-level meeting chaired by AAP state president and minister for employment generation, skill development and training, Aman Arora, along with health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh, culminated in a decision to equip rehabilitated individuals with market-relevant skills to support their recovery and prevent relapse. Arora directed officials to establish a project management unit (PMU) to oversee the initiative, ensuring structured implementation and long-term success. He also instructed officials from the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM), technical education and industrial training department, and other relevant bodies to collaborate with industry partners to provide in-demand vocational training. Emphasising a coordinated approach, Arora asked departments to work closely with deputy commissioners, district bureaus of employment and enterprises and health department officials to streamline the identification of rehabilitated individuals interested in skill development and align them with appropriate training opportunities. The PSDM director was also tasked with facilitating job placements for these trained individuals. "The goal is to instil productive habits and empower rehabilitated individuals with sustainable livelihoods," said health minister Dr Balbir Singh. "My vision is to transform former drug addicts into entrepreneurs through focused skill development." MSID:: 121625729 413 |
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Major success, but menace is not fully eliminated: Punjab DGP on anti-drug drive after 3 months of deadline
Chandigarh: Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Saturday declared that 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh', a three-month-long anti-drug campaign, has achieved "major success," but acknowledged that the drug menace has not been completely eliminated and asserted that the crackdown will "continue relentlessly. " His remarks assume significance in light of chief minister Bhagwant Mann's directive on Feb 28 setting a three-month deadline to make Punjab drug-free. DGP Yadav said that enforcement efforts would persist with full force. He added that fresh and exhaustive lists of drug peddlers and suppliers are being prepared using inputs from district police, the intelligence wing, and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), with targeted operations planned over the next 60 days. When asked during a press conference on Saturday whether Punjab could now be considered drug-free, Yadav responded: "I can say that drug availability in the state has reduced significantly. There are still pockets where drugs are available, but the earlier perception of easy access no longer holds true." "I cannot say drugs have been totally eliminated because it is a cyclical issue, but significant progress has been made," he added. He further stated that monitoring individuals released on bail is a key focus. "We have devised a system to monitor their activities by involving village elders and panchayats. Cancelling bail for repeat offenders remains a priority," he said. The Punjab Police are also exploring the use of GPS anklets to track the movements of major drug smugglers released on bail. "We are examining the proposal from a legal perspective to track and monitor the movements of bailed-out high-profile smugglers through GPS anklets, subject to approval by the competent court," Yadav noted. Highlighting the role of technology, DGP Yadav said Punjab was the first state in the country to develop the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) in 2019. A new AI-powered hierarchical database is now being developed to map individuals arrested under the NDPS Act and trace backward and forward linkages up to two levels for each case. After successful trials of advanced anti-drone systems along the India-Pakistan border—aimed at combating drone-based smuggling of narcotics, arms, and explosives—the Punjab govt has placed an order to deploy these systems. "These technologies are designed to detect, identify, and neutralise drones, and will significantly disrupt cross-border smuggling networks," he said. Yadav also revealed that the Punjab govt has approved a Rs 500 crore package for the upgradation and modernisation of prisons. Under this plan, each prison will be equipped with a de-addiction centre to provide treatment to inmates battling substance abuse. Since the launch of the campaign on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police registered 8,344 FIRs and arrested 14,734 drug offenders—including 13,038 peddlers and 1,696 listed suppliers/distributors. Due to strict enforcement, substantial seizures have been made, including 586 kg heroin, 247 kg opium, 14 tonne poppy husk, 9 kg charas, 253 kg ganja, 2.5 kg ICE, 1.6 kg cocaine, 25.70 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets and Rs 10.76 crore in drug money. During the 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh' campaign, illegal properties of 144 drug smugglers worth Rs 74.27 crore were frozen, and 104 illegally constructed properties were demolished by local authorities. DGP Yadav noted that the Punjab Police have adopted scientific investigation techniques including digital forensics and financial tracking. Of the 1,205 cases adjudicated during this period, 1,085 ended in conviction—resulting in a conviction rate of 90%, the highest in the country. He further stated that intelligence reports and informal surveys suggest a significant disruption in drug supply chains, leading to a 50% increase in street-level heroin prices and a 40% rise in synthetic drug prices. Repeated and targeted cordon and search operations (CASOs) have forced notorious smugglers to flee, weakening local networks and reducing operational capacity. The police also dealt a blow to drug finances by disrupting hawala networks. With the arrest of 48 major hawala operators and the seizure of Rs 10.76 crore, the economic foundations of many smuggling networks were effectively dismantled. Yadav lauded the Safe Punjab WhatsApp Chatbot (9779100200), calling it a "game-changer" for its confidentiality feature. The chatbot has received 7,635 tips, resulting in 1,596 FIRs and the arrest of 1,814 accused. Underscoring a compassionate approach, he said the Punjab Police treat drug users as patients, not criminals. Under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act, 1,121 individuals caught with small quantities were sent for de-addiction and rehabilitation. Additionally, 5,786 drug users were taken to de-addiction centres, and 6,483 were convinced to seek treatment at OOAT centres. In a new initiative, station house officers (SHOs) will personally engage with individuals released on bail, obtain written pledges to abstain from drugs, and offer medical assistance. Strict action will be taken against repeat offenders, Yadav warned. He also announced the Each One Adopt One programme, where every police officer—from the DGP downward—will adopt a drug user and help with their de-addiction and rehabilitation. "Starting with myself, each officer will voluntarily adopt one drug user, monitor their treatment, and motivate them. I encourage the public to do the same to help bring people back into the mainstream," he urged. Looking ahead, the DGP said village panchayats are being urged to assess the drug situation in their areas. Villages found to be free of drugs will be asked to declare themselves 'nasha mukt' (drug-free), while others will be encouraged to devise strategies to achieve the same. Citizens can report drug-related activities anonymously through the Safe Punjab Helpline: "9779100200".
