Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Feb 9: The Legislative Assembly today passed a resolution seeking eradication of drug addiction in the State and resolved that the Government should take strict measures to check the menace.
The Private Member Resolution, moved by MLA Banihal, Vikar Rasool, was passed by voice-vote even as the Minister for Health Bali Bhagat also shared concern of the Legislators.
Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Usman Majid and several other Legislators supported the resolution and expressed concern over the growing menace of drug addiction in the State. The Members cautioned that if the menace remains unchecked, it will take heavy toll on the society especially the youth. They also urged the Government to come up with more strong laws to punish the drug peddlers.
Vikar Rasool, while moving the Resolution, suggested setting up of Drug de-addiction centres at district level, awareness programmes at school level, formation of special squads to check the menace, involvement of Deputy Commissioners, special instructions to Police and formulation of strict laws in this regard.
Minister for Health Bali Bhagat, who shared the concern of the Legislators, said the drug addiction was most serious threat. He said it is dangerous for future generations and Government has taken various measures including constitution of Special Task Force to curb the menace.
The Minister called for involving civil society and also constituting Mohalla Committee to eradicate the menace of drug addiction. He said it is the prime responsibility of the civil society including the Government.
As the Minister continued to speak on drug menace without coming to conclusion, several Members, including Ali Mohd Sagar, Mian Altaf and Gh Mohd Saroori stood from their seats and stressed that instead of making a lengthy speech, the Government should adopt the resolution if the menace was such a serious issue.
Even as the Minister had not yet concluded his reply, Speaker Kavinder Gupta went ahead with voting and initially declared the Resolution rejected with a voice-vote. However, the Opposition Members immediately drew attention of the Chair towards no resistance following which Speaker passed the Resolution with a voice-vote.
Before this, MLA Javid Hassan Beigh spoke on his earlier moved Resolution seeking benefit of backward status upto seven years after marriage to the girls from the backward areas and making eligibility period only seven years instead of 15 years for the girls getting married in backward areas.
However after receiving a satisfactory response from the Government regarding the issue, the legislator withdrew the Resolution. The Minister for Social Welfare, Sajjad Ghani Lone admitted that it was totally injustice with the girl and he would immediately issue necessary instructions in this regard.
Earlier, CPI (M) MLA Mohd Yusuf Tarigami and NC MLA Mubarak Gul also supported the Resolution maintaining that 15-years period for a girl becoming eligible to get backward area benefit after marriage in backward area was injustice.
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