Kaul Singh Thakur, Irrigation and Public Health Minister stressed upon the need to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions and NGOs in the ‘Nasha Niwaran Abhiyan’ and added that awareness against drug abuse could only lead to a healthy society. He was speaking in a function of Declamation, Painting and Slogan Writing Competitions organized by Department of Information and Public Relations under the Nasha Niwaran Abhiyan at Mandi today. He also inaugurated the exhibition put up by the Department on the occasion.
Kaul Singh said that Panchayati Raj Institutions played a significant role in generating awareness upto grass root level and these institutions alongwith NGOs , Mahila, Yuvak Mandals could also contribute constructively in generating awareness against drug abuse. He appealed the youth to abstain from all kinds of intoxicants and said that Government was committed to eradicate this social evil and Department of Information and Public Relations was generating awareness through publicity literature and films.
Kaul Singh said that Tobacco Control Law was effective in the country since 1st May, 2004 and added that abiding the law could only root out this evil from the society. He also appealed the teaching community to set an example before the students so that ideal society could be built and said that these kinds of
competitions should be held regularly in order to create awareness in every nook and corner of the State.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister said that clean drinking water was being provided to about 85 percent houses through taps in the State and Rs. 29 crore was being spent on the maintenance of various drinking water supply schemes every year. He said that Government was considering the possibility to open Engineering and Medical College in Mandi and added that the office of Deputy Director, Public Relations was also opened in Mandi.
Shri Dinesh Malhotra, Director, Information and Public Relations welcomed the Minister and detailed about the activities being carried out under Nasha Niwaran Abhiyan. He said that Rs. 30 lakhs were being spent under the scheme during 2006-07 and added that the message of prohibition was being spread throughout the State through 72 video display units besides holding workshops.
About 55 children participated in various competitions on the occasion.
