Prohibition cell revival on cards as SCPCR seeks allocation of cess to tackle drug abuse
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) is planning to approach the Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat soon with a proposal to set up a prohibition cell for ensuring proper allocation of two percent cess collected by the excise department for the same.
After conducting a meeting with the officials of the departments concerned, the commission is also expecting to know the workings of the officials responsible to tackle drug abuse related issues in the State.
According to Usha Negi, who heads the SCPCR there is no clarity among the departments who should have the responsibility to look over the cases related to drug abuse. The officials from the social welfare department mention that the chief medical officer (CMO) looks over such issues while the latter says that the social welfare department is responsible for such cases, said Negi. “The child commission was planning to hold a meeting with all the officials concerned last week to discuss the same matter but it could not happen due to certain reasons. But a meeting will be held this month to understand the duties and responsibilities allotted to departments concerned for drug abuse related cases,” said Negi. Moreover, she also informed that the excise department levies a cess of two percent on liquor and the funds collected through cess should be used for rehabilitation programmes.
She pointed out that during Uttar Pradesh days, Prohibition cell of excise department used to look over matters like the allocation of cess to be spend towards setting up of the rehabilitation centres but when Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in the year 2000, no such cell was continued here, informed Negi. She said that the officials of the excise department informed her in the last meeting that the money received through cess was issued to the disaster management but the management already has its separate funding so such funds should be spent on awareness campaign or other drug abuse related issues in the State by the department. Negi said that there should be the establishment of more rehabilitation centres in all districts and a single ward could also be allotted in government hospitals to those including children facing drug abuse but all such programmes needs funding. Usha Negi also disclosed that the commission approached the chief minister Rawat last year to set up prohibition cell and the administration also wrote to the excise department for the same in February but the Covid-19 pandemic hit the State the next month due to which the plans could not proceed. Negi asserted that all such issues including the funding of rehabilitation programmes will be discussed in the meeting and subsequently, a proposal would be sent to CM for his consideration.
Friday, 11 December 2020 | Purnima Bisht | Dehradun
