Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 10: High Court has directed the Central Government to report the court with regard to release of funds to the State Government for establishment of drug de-addiction centers in the State.
Senior advocate Jehangir Gananie submitted before the court that the drug abuse in the State is on high and the issue is of very serious in nature and despite formation of Drug De-addiction Policy nothing is improved on ground level.
He further added that the State Government was required to establish 23 drug de-addiction centers across the State in terms of the policy but nothing till date has been done on ground level.
After these submission made by the advocate Ganaie, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar directed the Central Government to apprise the court with regard to funds released so far for the establishment of these drug de-addiction centers.
DB has also directed the State Government to inform the court about the steps taken for implementation of Drug De-addiction Policy on ground level.
So far as to the effectiveness of de-addiction centers is concerned it requires regular monitoring as directed for holding regular meetings with the concerned departments and NGOs so that the issue relating to drug de-addiction and the impact on the citizens across the State is addressed.
It may be mentioned that the Special Director General of Police, J&K, addressed a letter to the Joint Secretary (J&K Affairs) Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs 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 lakhs annually.
These funds are being received and utilized for honorarium for two drug de-addiction centre’s at Jammu and Srinagar, Sports activities to involve and engage youth of the State, assistance to school going poor children, Police public meets etc.
It was 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 and Home Department had requested to release an amount of Rs. 156.19 lakh under CAP for the year 2018-19.
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