Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 6: The High Court has sought instructions from Joint Secretary, (J&K Affairs), Government of lndia, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi as to what steps have been taken to curb the menace of drug abuse in the State.
After adding the Joint Secretary, J&K Affairs as party respondent in the case, the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice MK Hanjura directed the counsel appearing for him to get instructions as to what steps have been taken by them to curb the menace of drug addiction and providing of Drug De-addiction Centers in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Considering the gravity of the drug addiction which the State of Jammu and Kashmir is facing as reported by Senior Additional Advocate General supported by the letter dated 16.02.2018 of the Special Director General of Police, J&K, the DB said it expect the newly added respondent, Joint Secretary, (J&K Affairs), Government of lndia, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, to respond to the proposal of the State Government keeping in mind the situation prevailing in the State of J&K for establishing drug de-addiction centers in various districts of the state as indicated in the letter dated 16.02.2018 of the Special Director General of Police, J&K.
The DB directed the Registry to supply a copy of Court order dated 17.08.2017 to State counsel as well as counsel appearing for the newly added respondent, along with a copy of the instant order for effective implementation of the aforesaid directions.
It is by order dated 17.08.2017, Court while disposing off PIL directed the Government to delineate on various methods to curb the menace of drug de-addiction which has been looming large in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and had directed the Government to ensure the establishment of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers.
The Special Director General of Police, J&K, addressed a letter to the Joint Secretary (J&K Affairs) Government of lndia, Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New Delhi which the court has taken note of, submitting therein that the Jammu and Kashmir Police under Civic Action Programme is receiving funds to the tune of Rs.500.00 lakhs annually.
The funds, it is further said, are being received and utilized for honorarium for two Drug De-addiction Centres at Jammu and Srinagar, sports activities to involve and engage youth of the State, assistance to school going poor children and Police public meets etc.
“It is proposed to establish 23 new drug De-addiction Centres among all the remaining districts of the State for which an amount of Rs.656.19 lakh, Rs.28.53 lakh for each DDC) will be involved.
Therefore, it is requested to release an amount of Rs. l 156.19 lakh under CAP for the year 2018-19”, read the communication of Special DGP.
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