We are working closely with Northeastern states to tackle drug menace, says Union Minister Virendra Kumar in Meghalaya
Minister Kumar, who was in Shillong on Tuesday, interacted with the officials of the Social Welfare Department and NGOs on issues related to the drug problem and the way forward to curb it.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar on Tuesday said that the Centre is working closely with Northeastern states to tackle the drugs menace in the region.
Minister Kumar, who was in Shillong on Tuesday, interacted with the officials of the Social Welfare Department and NGOs on issues related to the drug problem and the way forward to curb it.
“We are trying to implement the Central government's aggressive campaign against drugs throughout the country and in this regard, the Northeast is a very important region. We are working very closely with the state governments to curb the influx of contraband substances from other countries and are also spread awareness about its harmful repercussions,” he said.
Kumar also informed that the Centre is providing all the necessary help to various NGOs working towards rehabilitating drug addicts and are monitoring that the grants are utilised in a proper manner. “The Centre has been providing grants to those de-addiction and rehabilitation centres which are doing exceptional work in this field. As it's also our prerogative to check if these grants are utilised in a proper manner, we are keeping a close watch on that as well,” said Kumar, adding that the drug menace is a social evil and it can’t be curbed by apprehending the peddlers, smugglers, and addicts alone but by spreading awareness about it.
The union minister also laid stress on disability centres and how effectively can they help persons with disabilities. “Disability centres around the region can infuse self-confidence into the persons with disabilities. We are also trying to bring them under the purview of different skill development schemes of the Central government,” said Kumar, adding that the Centre will try to introduce haats (bazaars) in the region, whereby persons with disabilities can sell their products.
Principal secretary of the Social Welfare Department, Sampath Kumar informed that the state government is focusing on providing inclusive education to children with disabilities. He said that there are about 40,000 disabled persons in the state.
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