Rajouri, July 2: Seeping into every nook and corner, the state administration of Jammu and Kashmir in a major step towards making ‘drug free panchayats’ have mulled a proposal for anti-Drug Campaign in all 312 Panchayats of the district. The campaign has been termed as ‘Operation Khumaar’ aiming at making all Panchayats Tobacco-Free.
Accelerating the campaign, several Panchayats have already adopted a resolution on 26th June on the occasion of International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Decision to take and implement this step was taken during a meeting held by district administration Rajouri on the eve of International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. During this meeting, it was decided that administration will take strong steps in days to come to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society and also shall be implementing the provisions of the cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act 2003.
Highlighting the first step, the district magistrate said that the district Administration will ensure that Tobacco products cannot be sold to a person below the age of 18 years and in a place within 100 yards radius from the outer boundary of the educational institution. The administration also decided for the strict implementation of section 4 and section 5 of COTPA 2003. As per section 4 there is prohibition of smoking in all public places and as per section 5 there is prohibition in the direct or indirect advertisement of Tobacco products.
The Magistrate appealed to people from all sections of society to come forward and join the drive of administration against this war against drugs and asked the people to give information regarding the persons involved in the drug peddling so that exemplary action can be taken against them.