Poppy cultivation on 550 Kanals of land destroyed in Pulwama: DC

Pulwama: Authorities in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district destroyed poppy cultivation on many hundred kanals of land.
Talking to the media, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer ul Haq Chaudhry said they have chalked out a multi-pronged strategy to make the southern district a drug free destination.
He said that through NACORD ( Narco Coordination Centre) meeting all members and allied line officers of the district including police, agriculture, horticulture, revenue , irrigation and flood control department have been instructed to destroy poppy cultivation.
“ A mega drive has been started by these departments during which poppy cultivation on 550 kanals of land was destroyed,” Chaudhry said, adding that notices have also been served to the farmers and legal action as warranted under law is taken against them.
The Deputy Commissioner said that they also provide an opportunity to the farmers to bring them to mainstream farming activity.
“ The administration is working to provide alternative crops to the farmers, many farmers have been reached out and were provided financial assistance,” he said, adding that through holistic development of agriculture programme farmers are registered at Panchayat level so that they benefit from various centrally sponsored schemes and accrue their income.
He said that regular monitoring and checking is carried out in chemist shops particularly those falling in vicinity of schools and colleges.
He said that revenue magistrates have served notices to the medicine shops warning them of strict action under NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act for selling any banned drug substance.
“ Awareness campaigns against drug abuse among the general public are also carried out at a large level to make people understand development is proportional to health conditions of the youth,” he said.
The Deputy Commissioner said that empowering youth through self-employment constitutes an important part of this multi-pronged strategy.
“ At 190 Panchayats of the district many unemployed youth have been registered for various self-employment schemes,” he said, adding that administration is also helping them in preparing detailed project reports, documentation and facilitating them in forwarding their cases to sponsoring agencies.
He said that they are resolved to follow the strategy for some months so that the district becomes a drug free destination.
Div Com conducts late night inspection of smart city projects
Srinagar, Apr 26: Div Com Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri conducted late night site visit and inspection of Srinagar Smart City Ltd (SSCL) developmental projects regarding upgradation of Footpaths, construction of Cycle tracks, macadamization of roads in preparation of G20 Summit.
He was accompanied by CEO SSCL, Chief Engineer R&B, Chief Engineer Smart City, Police Officers and other concerned officers of SSCL.
During the visit, he took stock of beautification, upgradation and redevelopment work at Nishat, SKICC, Gupkar Junction, Residency Road, Polo View and MA Road.
He emphasized on employing concerted efforts by engineering wings of SSCL & R&B to mobilize entire available machinery & labour to complete the on going projects in a double quick pace.
While elaborating the nature of exigency of work, he urged concerned for gainful display of results by consuming minimum time and execute the work with enhanced capacity & efficiency.
He cautioned for lingering the work and urged for rapid action on the developmental front.
Div Com advised them to seize the opportunity and present the beautiful & picturesque view of the City.
During the inspection, he was briefed by CEO SSCL regarding site wise physical status and was assured that finished touch will be given to all projects very soon.