Sukhu advocates strict measures to combat drug menace, illegal mining
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed officials to intensify action against drug trafficking and illegal mining during the second day of the conference with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) here. The conference, attended by DCs and SPs from Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra, featured detailed presentations on pressing issues in each district. “The government is contemplating creating a dedicated wing headed by an IG-level officer to intensify action against the drug mafia,” said the CM.
Key directives
- Dedicated wing under IG-level officer planned
- Residents urged to support efforts against illegal mining
- Shift to numerical grading for Deputy Commissioners and SPs
- Faster approvals under the Forest Clearance Act to benefit development projects
- Land allocation for cow shelters across districts
The Chief Minister expressed the state government’s commitment to protecting the youth from drug abuse. He also recommended community involvement to tackle illegal mining, emphasising the role local residents could play in safeguarding natural resources.
Additionally, he instructed the DCs to review flagship state government schemes at the sub-division level and submit a report by December 31, 2024. The CM introduced a new performance-based appraisal system for DCs and SPs, moving from a descriptive grading system to a numerical grading approach to assess officer’s performance more accurately.
Directing the DCs to speed up FCA (Forest Clearance Act) approvals, Sukhu stated that this would facilitate timely development projects and ensure public benefits. He warned that delays in FCA processing could lead to accountability measures for responsible officers. Highlighting the state’s recent agricultural milestones, he said, “Himachal has become the first state to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for milk. We’ve also set MSPs for crops produced through natural farming.”
The CM instructed DCs to identify suitable land for solar projects as part of an initiative to create green panchayats across the state. He also emphasised the importance of supporting orphans turning 18 by making them aware of the Mukhyamantri Sukhashray Yojana’s benefits.
To address the problem of stray animals, Sukhu asked the DCs to identify land for building cow shelters at district headquarters. He noted that stray animals on roads not only cause accidents but also pose challenges for farmers, and he urged district administrations to make this issue a priority.
The CM encouraged officials to promote tourism within their districts, noting that it remains a top government priority. “The state government is focusing on tourism, hydropower, data storage, and food processing sectors, with a strong commitment to promoting green industries in Himachal Pradesh,” he added. The meeting also included Principal Adviser to Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Director General of Police Atul Verma and other senior officials.
