BARNALA / CHANDIGARH: As part of strengthening the fight against drug abuse under the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, Deputy Commissioner of Barnala Harpreet Singh has directed officials to convert two places into recreational facilities: a playground for children and a park for residents in Dhilwan Dakhan village of Barnala district.
The directions followed an intervention by Harwinder Singh Khalsa, Sarpanch of Dhilwan (South) village, during a meeting, where he highlighted how neglected public spaces had become a challenge for the village and could potentially be reclaimed to create a healthier environment for its residents.
The village has six panchayats, including Dhilwan (South), but lacks a large stadium for children and young people. An existing ground within his panchayat, originally intended for children to play, has become overgrown with unwanted trees and vegetation, rendering it unsuitable for recreational activities.
Taking cognisance of the issue, Deputy Commissioner Harpreet Singh immediately directed the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) to ensure that both locations in Dhilwan Dakhan were cleaned up and that a playground and a park were set up.
Under the Yudh Nashean Virudh, Punjab has been pursuing a multi-pronged approach against drug abuse, combining action against drug traffickers with prevention, de-addiction, rehabilitation and greater community participation.
