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| High Court Orders Personal Appearance of 2 top officers | | Drug De-Addiction Centres | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Dec 27: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday directed Secretary, Union Ministry of Social Welfare and Woman Empowerment and J&K's Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education Department to appear in person in February for failing to submit action plan with regard to establishment of Drug de-addiction centers.
The establishment of Drug de-addiction centres is provided under recently approved Drug de-addiction policy.
Hearing a public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sindhu Sharma also sought detailed affidavit from Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education Department regarding the 'professional treatment' provided to "2 lakh patients". The officer has been asked, among others, to elaborate how and where the treatment is provided as also about the funds.
To the submissions by one of the counsels that awareness programme by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir is being carried out in only two districts-Srinagar and Baramulla, the court sought detailed affidavit regarding similar measures taken for awareness in other districts of the Valley.
On 17 August last year, the court had directed the Government to delineate on various methods to curb the menace of drug addiction which has been looming large in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Accordingly, it directed the Government to ensure the establishment of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers.
As to the effectiveness of de-addiction centers is concerned it requires regular monitoring and hence the Chief Secretary of the State is directed to hold regular meetings with the concerned department and NGOs so that the issue relating drug de-addiction and the impact on the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir State is addressed. The Government shall deliberate on the methods adopted by other States for establishment of de-addiction and rehabilitation centers. The expertise from other sources will have some relevance as the issue is of concern all over the Country and the World," the court had said, adding, "It is desirable and advantageous if the Government of Jammu & Kashmir will revisit the Drug De-addiction Policy in the State and provide a more comprehensive mechanism to address this malady."
In continuation to that, the Special Director General of Police, J&K, addressed a letter to the Joint Secretary which reads: "The Jammu and Kashmir Police under Civic Action Programme is receiving funds to the tune of Rs 500 lakhs annually. The funds received are being utilized for honorarium for two Drug de-addiction Centres at Jammu and Srinagar, Sports activities (to involve / engage youth of the State), assistance to school going poor children, 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. |
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