Pulwama, Feb 20: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary on Monday said the administration aims to substitute the narcotic crop with a remunerative and cash crop like that of peas and other high-value vegetables in the district. He said the district administration has already started capacity building of the farmers for shifting to alternative crops with high-income value.
On the DC’s directions, a team of enforcement wings of various departments carried out a massive drive to destroy the poppy cultivation in the fields of various areas of Pulwama. The drive has been initiated at an appropriate stage at which juvenile crops cannot be used for any illicit activity.
While directing the officers to carry out the drive against the illegal cultivation of poppy, the DC said that the district administration has a zero-tolerance policy against drug abuse and no avenue for cultivating illicit crops is being left out in the district.
The DC emphasized concerned departments for educating the people, especially farmers, for using their land for the cultivation of alternative crops of high value to curb the cultivation of illicit poppy and cannabis in the district.
The district administration said it is committed to people’s welfare and generating sustainable livelihood for people through various employment generation schemes. “A multi-pronged approach including community participation, rehabilitation, counselling and guidance policy is being implemented on the ground to monitor drug abuse and take remedial measures to curb the menace,” it said.
