HP makes dope test must for govt jobs, professional college admissions

Shimla: In a major crackdown on the growing drug menace in Himachal Pradesh, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday announced that anti-chitta (heroin) testing would now be mandatory for recruitment in all govt departments as well as for students seeking admission to professional institutions such as medical, engineering, nursing and pharmacy colleges.Chairing a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), Sukhu said the state govt had decided to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to curb drug abuse and trafficking in the hill state. He said numerical grading would now be incorporated in the annual confidential reports (ACRs) of the deputy commissioners (DC) and the superintendents of police (SP) on the basis of their performance in checking drug menace and implementing anti-drug awareness campaigns.Sukhu also directed the officials concerned to prepare forensic reports in drug-related cases within five days to speed up investigations and trials. He further instructed district police chiefs to maintain constant surveillance on trafficking networks and closely monitor the situation on regular basis. He also ordered strict action against drug smugglers and said illegally encroached properties belonging to chitta traffickers should be demolished.The CM also asked district administrations to map repeat offenders and monitor their activities. He further warned pharmaceutical companies against any diversion or illegal distribution of medicines, stating that licences of shops involved in unlawful sale of medicines would be cancelled immediately.Highlighting action already taken by the state govt, Sukhu said proceedings were initiated against 123 govt employees and police personnel found involved in drug-related activities. Of these, 10 govt employees and 21 cops were dismissed from services. Those facing action included employees from HRTC, food and civil supplies, rural development, electricity board, Jal Shakti and veterinary departments.The chief minister also announced that the second phase of the massive anti-chitta awareness campaign would run from June 1 to Aug 20 in govt schools and colleges across the state. Administrative and police officers would visit educational institutions to educate students about the harmful effects of drug abuse, he added.Sukhu said around 12,000 individuals were identified in connection with drug activities and special police and CID surveillance were deployed in 234 highly sensitive panchayats. Since 2023, a total of 6,811 NDPS cases have been registered in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the arrest of 10,357 accused and seizure of 45,867 kg of narcotics. Illegal assets worth nearly Rs 51 crore linked to drug traffickers have also been seized during the past three-and-a-half years, he added.