Chandigarh, June 19- On the directions of the Punjab Chief Minister .Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Chief Secretary  Anurag Verma on Wednesday batted for a multi-pronged strategy based on principles of coordination and cooperation amongst all the key departments for wiping out the menace of drugs from the state.

Efforts to Combat Drug Menace in State

          Chairing a meeting of the top brass of the Civil and Police administration, the Chief Secretary laid stress on identifying the hotspots of drugs in the state along with taking strict action against the chemists selling banned drugs in the state. He also asked the Health department to enhance the strength of the drug controllers through new recruitment and promotions. Mr. Anurag Verma also said that the state government is also mulling to introduce several reforms for ensuring strict punishment to the drug smugglers in the state.

Emphasis on NDPS Act Enforcement

    Verma also emphasized that authorities must zealously implement the NDPS Act and ensure exemplary punishment for drug peddlers, along with confiscating their property. He instructed the Revenue Department and Police to collaborate closely to ensure confiscation of all properties acquired through drug money. Additionally, he directed that NCORD meetings be held regularly at both the state and district levels.

Enhancing Youth Engagement through Sports and Health Initiatives

      Anurag Verma also underscored the need for channelling the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction by enhancing sports activities in the state. Someone informed the Chief Secretary that the new sports policy mandates setting up 1000 new sports nurseries to cater to villages within a radius of 3-4 kilometres..

He also asked the Youth Services department to enhance its activities in the form of trekking, trails, tours and others to inspire the youth for good health adding that the Rural Development and Panchayat department must encourage the Panchayats to take a pledge for drug free villages.

Verma instructed the departments of Higher Education and School Education

     Anurag Verma instructed the departments of Higher Education and School Education to motivate and educate the students about the ill effects of drugs and encourage them to live a healthy life. He also directed to include anganwari workers and staff in an anti-drug mass contact program.

The Meeting included Special Chief Secretary Sports Saravjit Singh, Special Chief Secretary Social Security, Women and Child Development Raji P Srivastwa, DGP Gaurav Yadav, Special DGP Special Task Force Kuldeep Singh, Secretary Health Ajoy Sharma, Secretary Home Gurkirat Kripal Singh, Commissioner Food and Drug Administration Abhinav Trikha, Director General School Education Vinay Bublani, Director Higher Education Amrit Singh, ADGP Intelligence RK Jaiswal, Director SCERT, Director Elementary Education Amaninder Kaur Brar, and Additional Director Rural Development Sanjeev Garg.