Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla stresses role of Panchayats in fight against drug menace in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has vowed to eradicate the drug menace from Himachal Pradesh by involving Panchayat representatives in the state-wide campaign. Speaking at the inauguration of the State Level Workshop on Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Combating Drug Abuse and Substance Abuse held at Raj Bhawan today, the Governor emphasised the urgent need for collective action to preserve the cultural identity of the State known as Devbhoomi and safeguard the future of its youth.

Shukla emphasised the role of Panchayats, the grassroots democratic institutions, in combating drug abuse at the community level. “Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) play a vital role in combating this problem. As the closest representatives of the people, they have a unique ability to understand, influence and support those affected by substance abuse,” the Governor said. He emphasised that through their deep connections with the community, panchayat members are in a prime position to identify individuals at risk and guide them towards rehabilitation and support services.

He urged panchayat representatives to establish local support systems, including rehabilitation programmes and counselling centres, which can provide crucial support to individuals and families struggling with addiction. “The meaning of Devbhoomi must be protected at all costs and drugs have no place in our communities. They are breaking the fabric of joint families and destroying social values,” Shukla said. While the police are actively working to combat drug trafficking, Shukla stressed that panchayats must play a leading role in raising awareness and promoting community vigilance.

The Governor highlighted the importance of collaboration between panchayats, local law enforcement and healthcare providers to create a safe environment, suggesting community policing and the formation of vigilance committees to prevent illicit supply of drugs. He urged the workshop participants to act decisively, take the shared knowledge and strategies back to their communities to help create a drug-free Himachal Pradesh.

During the event, the governor felicitated the best performing gram panchayats of the state for their contribution to community welfare and released a book on the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in combating drug and substance abuse. Later, he flagged off state-level master trainers who will assist in expanding the anti-drug initiatives.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Aniruddh Singh echoed the governor’s sentiments and stressed that drug abuse was destroying the dreams of the state’s youth. Describing panchayat representatives as custodians of rural India, he called upon them to play a leading role in awareness campaigns, street plays and youth engagement activities. “Activities like youth clubs, recreational clubs and sports should be encouraged and monitoring efforts should be strengthened at the village level,” Singh said.

He acknowledged the efforts of the police in tackling drug-related crimes, but said collective responsibility was needed to free the state from this scourge. Singh also said that drug-free panchayats would be promoted in some form or the other, encouraging local leadership to prioritise this mission.

Panchayati Raj Department Secretary Rajesh Sharma emphasised that police and administrative action was underway, but meaningful results could be achieved only with the active participation of panchayat representatives.