Government taking stern action against employees involved in drug trafficking

SHIMLA -21 February, 2025-The State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has intensified its efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking through strict law enforcement, coordinated action and public participation. A government spokesperson stated today that the Police Department, in collaboration with various enforcement agencies, has successfully dismantled drug networks, confiscated illicit assets and taken stringent legal action against offenders under the NDPS Act and the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, 1988.

The government is taking strict action against police personnel and government employees found involved in drug trafficking. In addition to enforcement measures, awareness campaigns are being conducted regularly to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse.

During year 2024, 45 proposals for preventive detention were submitted, compared to none until 2022 and four detention orders were sanctioned against repeat offenders. The government is also planning to introduce the Himachal Pradesh Anti-Drug Act in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha session to strengthen legal provisions, impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders and promote rehabilitation for addicts and first-time minor offenders.

Cracking down on drug-related assets, the government confiscated illegal properties worth Rs. 9 crore in 2024 and initiated a systematic drive to seal and demolish properties linked to drug activities. To further disrupt drug supply chains and dismantle trafficking networks, 40–50 locations were searched for the first time in the State. The government is also prioritizing the up-gradation of forensic labs to enhance investigative capabilities.

To strengthen enforcement, the State Government has approved a Special Task Force (STF) on Narcotics and Organized Crime, which will be a dedicated unit with the necessary resources, powers and autonomy to exclusively focus on narcotics, drug trafficking and organized crime.

During 2024, the Police Department seized 368.20 kg of Charas, 36.20 kg of Opium, 11.14 kg of Heroin, 668.67 kg of Poppy Husk and 33.64 kg of Ganja. Additionally, 37,20,654 cannabis plants and 3,78,152 poppy plants were destroyed, while 2,89,68,041 psychotropic substance tablets were seized. The police also arrested 2,515 individuals involved in drug-related activities.

Reaffirming its commitment to making Himachal Pradesh drug-free, he said, that the government is determined to eradicate drug abuse through stringent law enforcement, coordinated action and active public participation.

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Chief Secretary presides over DMA State Executive Committee meeting

• · Firefighting, SDRF personnel to receive HAM Radio training

• Doppler Radar Stations to be established in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti

SHIMLA 21 February, 2025-A meeting of the State Executive Committee of the Disaster Management Authority was held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena. A detailed discussion on the use of HAM radio for communication during disasters was held in the meeting. It was appraised that HAM radio can facilitate the establishment of local communication networks in emergency situations.

It was informed that as of now 88 personnel in the state have undergone HAM radio training. After the training examinations was being conducted to assess the proficiency of the personnel. A decision to extend HAM radio raining to firefighting and SDRF personnel as well was taken in the meeting.

It was also informed that 12 polytechnic institutions were also being identified to be designated as Housing Training Centres for disaster management purposes.

Chief Secretary said that Doppler Weather Radar Stations would be established in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. He directed Deputy Commissioner Lahaul-Spiti and Deputy Commissioner Kinnaur to identify suitable locations for setting up these radar stations.

Additional Chief Secretaries Kamlesh Kumar Pant and Onkar Chand Sharma, Director cum Special Secretary Disaster Management D.C. Rana, Director RD and Panchayati Raj Raghav Sharma, SP SDRF Arjit Sen, Chief Engineer PWD Ajay Kapoor, Chief Engineer Power Department D.P. Gupta were present in the meeting whereas senior officers of various departments and Deputy Commissioners of all districts virtually attended the meeting.

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SHIMLA -21 February, 2025

Tenders of Bulk Drug Park to be floated soon: Industries Minister

While presiding over the sixth meeting of high powered committee of Himachal Pradesh Bulk Drug Park Infrastructure Limited (HPBDPIL) here today, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan directed all the stakeholder departments to speed up the work so that this mega project could be completed timely.

The Industries Minister directed to float the tender with necessary changes for site development, boundary wall, internal roads as per the decision taken in the fifth meeting of committee.

He also directed the project management consultancy firm to prepare the parameters of technical utilities and to float the remaining tenders of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) common effluent treatment plant facility, boiler steam generation & distribution system and solid waste management plant before 8th March, 2025. He also reviewed the actions taken on key decisions in the fifth meeting of the committee.

It was also decided to onboard NIPER Mohali as a technical partner for Bulk Drug Park project and MoU to be signed with this agency. NIPER will be providing technical support for setting up of the centre of excellence for which in-principal approval has been accorded.

Director, Industries and MD-Cum-CEO of state implementing agency of Bulk Drug Park Dr. Yunus made a detailed presentation indicating recent development related to the Bulk Drug Park.

The Advisor (Infrastructure) to the Chief Minister, Anil Kapil, Additional Chief Secretary Industries RD Nazeem, MD HPSIDC Rajeshwar Goel, Additional CEO HPBDPIL Tilak Raj Sharma and other senior officers of various aligned departments were also present in the meeting.