Jalandhar, February 8- In a unique step aimed at helping the drug dependents to lead a normal life by bringing them into the mainstream, the district administration has directed 50 officials of various departments to identify 500 drug dependants, 10 of each to provide them job opportunities through skill development or training program.
Presiding over a meeting in the administrative complex, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Vishesh Sarangal said that the state government has launched ‘Mission Red sky’ (Mission of Rehabilitation of Drug Abuse Victims through Skilling and Employment).
He said that under this mission, each of the officials would identify 10 drug dependents and would provide job opportunities to them by enhancing their capabilities through skill development/training programs so that they can earn a livelihood like others.
He said that the SDM-I, SDM-II, BDPO Adampur, BDPO Bhogpur, GM District Industries Centre, MC Joint Commissioner, Excise and Taxation Commissioner, ACA Puda, District Sainik Welfare Officer, Civil Surgeon, Secretary RTA, District Social Security Officer, SE PSPCL, Executive Engineers Sewage Board, PPCB, PWD (B and R), Water Supply and Sanitation, SE Improvement Trust, GM Roadways (I and II), Deputy Economic Statistical Assistant, District Food and Supply Controller, District Sports Officer, Assistant Labour Commissioner, AR Cooperative Societies, District Development and Panchayat Officer, BDPO Jalandhar West, BDPO Jalandhar East, District Manager SC Corporation, District Small Savings Officer, District Welfare Officer, DM Warehouse, DM Punjab Agro, DM Punsup, District Education Officer (EE), District Program Officer, Chief Agriculture Officer, District Forest Officer, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry, Assistant Director Youth Services, BDPO Lohian Khas, BDPO Nakodar, BDPO Nurmahal, SDM Nakodar, SDM Phillaur, BDPO Rurka Kalan, SDM Shahkot, BDPO Shahkot, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (I and II) have been tasked for this cause so that the drug dependants do not face any kind of problem in getting the employment along with their treatment.
He added Assistant Commissioner (G) Hardeep Singh would be the nodal officer of the mission in Jalandhar and would ensure each of the officers achieve the target and helps the drug dependants to become active-partner of in the socio-economic growth of the state either gainful employment or starting own ventures.
Sarangal said that the massive crackdown on the peddlers by the state government and large-scale awareness programs including DAPO, Buddy, and others have yielded positive results as these movements have created awareness among the general public.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner said that the administration would continue its efforts until the entire district was made free of the drugs.
Prominent among present occasion included ACA PUDA Anupam Kler, SDMs Rahul Sindhu, Dr. Jai Inder Singh, AC (G) Hardeep Singh, and others.