'Anti-Chitta' Gram Sabhas to be held in Gram Panchayats on January 21 and 22: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Shimla, January 13
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a meeting of senior officers held here, said that Anti-Chitta Gram Sabhas would be organised in all Gram Panchayats of the state on January 21 and 22.
He said these sabhas would review information related to 'chitta' and focus on important issues, including the rehabilitation of local youth addicted to 'chitta'. Officers from various departments would also attend these Gram Sabhas as observers. Each Panchayat would also carry out a detailed mapping of chitta-related activities during the meetings, according to a release.
The Chief Minister said that statewide awareness campaigns were already underway to educate people about the harmful effects of 'chitta' and other psychotropic drugs.
As part of this effort, Anti-Chitta Awareness Sports Tournaments would also be organised across the state on the lines of the Premier League. He said that these tournaments would feature kabaddi, cricket and volleyball matches and would be held at the block, district and state levels. Winning teams would receive cash prizes from the Chief Minister.
He further said that the government was following a multi-pronged strategy to break the chain of chitta trafficking and its supply. The properties owned by chitta smugglers have been identified and would be demolished, the release added.
The Chief Minister also directed the Education Department to include a chapter on the harmful effects of 'chitta' in school textbooks to raise awareness among students. He directed to include Gram Panchayat Pradhans and Panchayat Samiti members as special invitees in Panchayat-level drug de-addiction committees. In addition, Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) and women's self-help groups (Mahila Mandals) would be actively involved in the campaign against 'chitta'.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Using sports tournaments for awareness is a brilliant idea. Kabaddi and volleyball are hugely popular here. Engaging youth through activities they love is better than just lectures. Cash prizes will definitely boost participation. Well done, HP govt!
Demolishing properties of smugglers sends a strong message. But the real test is sustained action. We've seen crackdowns before that fizzle out. Hope this isn't just political posturing before elections. The mapping in each Panchayat must be followed by concrete rehab plans.
Including a chapter in school textbooks is crucial for prevention. Children need to learn about these dangers early. Also good to see women's self-help groups being involved - mothers and sisters in villages can be powerful change agents against this menace.
The multi-pronged approach looks comprehensive on paper. But where are the details about counseling centers and medical facilities for de-addiction? Many families in remote areas can't afford private treatment. Government needs to fund proper rehab infrastructure too.
As someone from Himachal, I've seen how chitta destroys families. Unemployment and lack of opportunities push youth toward drugs. While awareness is good, the government must also create jobs and skill development programs. Otherwise, we're just treating symptoms, not the disease.
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