To receive their regular salaries, all government employees in Jammu and Kashmir may soon be required to submit written declarations to their Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) affirming that they are not addicted to narcotic substances.
While no official order applicable to all government departments across the Union Territory's 20 districts has been issued so far, Kishtwar district has taken the lead in implementing the measure, and other districts are likely to follow suit.
In a significant step aimed at strengthening the anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities in Kishtwar have made it mandatory for government employees to submit self-declaration certificates stating that they are not drug addicts, with salary disbursement linked to compliance with the directive.
The decision has been taken as part of efforts to strengthen the ongoing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Campaign, which aim to create a drug-free society through awareness, prevention, rehabilitation and strict enforcement measures.
Chairing a district-level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma directed all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) to submit Drug-Free Office Certificates after collecting duly verified self-declaration forms from every government employee under their jurisdiction.
Officials said the move is intended to ensure accountability within government institutions while setting an example in the fight against the growing menace of drug abuse.
The deputy commissioner reviewed the district's anti-narcotics strategy and assessed the progress of ongoing awareness campaigns being conducted under various anti-drug initiatives. He sought detailed reports on vulnerable areas, affected age groups and identified drug abuse hotspots requiring focused intervention.
Sharma directed all departments to actively participate in Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities under the anti-drug campaign and warned that negligence or failure to comply with the directions would be viewed seriously.
To strengthen preventive measures, he instructed the School Education Department to ensure that all remaining educational institutions in the district are declared Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (TOFEI) in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
The Deputy Commissioner also directed Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Tehsildars to expedite the process of declaring Panchayats as "Nasha Mukt" by following the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring proper verification and promoting community participation.
As part of efforts to deepen grassroots engagement, all line departments were directed to organise maximum awareness and outreach activities under the 100-day campaign and submit timely reports along with photographic evidence to the District Social Welfare Office.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner was tasked with conducting awareness programmes through Mahila Nigrani Samitis and strengthening youth clubs to enhance community vigilance against drug abuse.
Recognising growing concerns over the misuse of courier networks for drug trafficking, Sharma also directed officials to hold meetings with courier operators to ensure proper record-keeping and prevent the transportation of unauthorised Schedule H drugs and other suspicious consignments.
Calling for a collective fight against narcotics, the Deputy Commissioner urged citizens, volunteers and community organisations to actively participate in the campaign and help make Kishtwar a drug-free district. He stressed the importance of maintaining constant vigilance over suspicious consignments and reporting any illegal activity to the authorities.
The directions come amid intensified efforts by the administration to curb drug abuse and trafficking across Jammu and Kashmir through a combination of awareness drives, community participation and stricter enforcement measures.
DC Rajouri Directs Authorities to Identify Government Employees Involved in Drug Trafficking
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the quality and impact of activities being organised under the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan across the district.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed a range of awareness, sports, educational and community-based activities being conducted under the campaign and emphasised the need to ensure meaningful public participation and tangible outcomes.
He stressed the importance of involving representatives of various associations, community groups, educational institutions and civil society organisations to broaden the reach and effectiveness of the campaign.
Sharma also directed officers to submit information regarding any government official, Lambardar or Chowkidar found involved in drug-related activities so that appropriate action could be initiated against them.
