*CS ASKS ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO MAKE JOINT EFFORTS TO CHECK MENACE OF DRUGS*

Chandigarh, August 10-

In line with the commitment of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make Punjab a drug Free State, Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua today asked the enforcement agencies  to work jointly and check the menace of drugs.

Chairing the second State Level Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) Meeting here today, the Chief Secretary underlined the need for a joint strategy and action to eradicate drugs. He said that an IG level nodal officer will be nominated who will coordinate with all drug law enforcement agencies regarding their issues pertaining to jails. Likewise, Mr. Janjua said that all Pubs and Restaurants across Punjab will be asked to mandatorily display ‘Anti-Drug Signage’ provided by NCB.

The Chief Secretary also said that capacity building programs including training to tackle drug smuggling will be given utmost importance by all departments and drug law enforcement agencies in coordination with NCB. He said that mass anti-drug awareness programs will be launched targeting the vulnerable sections besides sensitising the people. Mr. Janjua also said that all districts of Punjab will mandatorily conduct District NCORD meetings on monthly basis.

The Chief Secretary also directed to start E-pledge drive against drugs. He said that this drive should be given massive coverage in schools, colleges, universities and government offices. Mr. Janjua also said that the State level NCORD meeting will be conducted regularly. He said that the war against drugs needs to be intensified for saving our coming generations from its scourge.

Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Home Anurag Verma, Additional Chief Secretary Forest Raji P Srivastva, Principal Secretary Social Justice, Minorities and Empowerment Ramesh Kumar Ganta, Secretary Health Ajoy Sharma, Secretary Home Alknanda Dayal, Special DGP STF Harpreet Singh Sidhu, ADGP Law and Order Ishwar Singh, Deputy Director General (Northern Region) Narcotics Control Bureau Gyaneshwar Singh, Zonal Director NCB Chandigarh Amanjit Singh, Additional Excise Commissioner Sandeep Rishi and IG BSF Asif Jalal.