KISHTWAR: Panchayat Sigdi B1 of Sub Division Chatroo of District Kishtwar has achieved a significant milestone for being provisionally declared as the first Nasha Mukht Panchayat of the district.
This momentous achievement was officially announced by Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Devansh Yadav, in presence of SSP Khalil Ahmed Poswal- here at the 10th Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee meeting held here in the DC Office Complex.
Besides, the meeting was attended by ADC, Inderjeet Singh Parihar; SDM Paddar/DPO ICDS, Dr. Rishi Kumar Sharma; Tehsildar HQ Chander Shekhar Sharma; Dy CMO, Nodal Officer Addiction Treatment Facility ATF District Hospital Kishtwar Dr. Arif Rashid, CEO, along with heads of educational institutions, ASHAs, AWWs, and other members.
The Deputy Commissioner termed this as a remarkable accomplishment and the result of various interventions and a comprehensive approach adopted in the Panchayat Sigdi B1.
Civil & Police administration, along with other stakeholders, including ASHAs, AWWs, parents, teachers, Addiction Treatment Facility, religious groups, and Panchayati Raj institutions, worked collectively to the instructions issued by the Government from time to time, under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, to achieve a drug-free panchayat.
DC Kishtwar further informed that the journey towards becoming a Nasha Mukht Panchayat involved three stages. Firstly, the panchayat passed a resolution during the Nasha Mukht Diwas held on 15th March,2023 emphasizing its commitment to combating substance abuse.
Secondly, a line listing of all addicts and peddlers/addicts was carried out besides police established the nakas and surprise checking of youth & suspected peddlers was done.
Thirdly, the village surveillance team was constituted comprising PRIs, ASHA, Anganwadi, VDCs, Chowkidars and Lambardars to ensure contact monitoring and inputs from ground.
Moreover the Intensive testing procedures were conducted to ensure that the panchayat was truly free from substance abuse.
Only after successfully completing these stages, the panchayat was declared as Nasha Mukht.
The active involvement of the community, coupled with intensified awareness activities led by ASHAs and AWWs, as well as stringent actions taken by the police and enforcement agencies against drug peddlers and trafficking activities, played a pivotal role in achieving this significant milestone.
The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders have been commendable, stated the Deputy Commissioner.
It is important to note that the declaration of Nasha Mukt Panchayat is provisional and under Surveillance and claims can be submitted to the office of the DC Kishtwar within one month and once verified will be confirmed as Nasha Mukht. This step will ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken to maintain the panchayat’s drug and substance abuse-free status.
The DC Kishtwar also added that 12 more Panchayats are in the line to achieve this milestone.
The success story of Panchayat Sigdi B1 sets a remarkable example for other panchayats in the district, inspiring them to work towards creating a society free from the menace of substance abuse. The District Administration of Kishtwar acknowledges the dedication and perseverance of Panchayat Sigdi B1 and extends its support to replicate such achievements throughout the district.