CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave in-principle approval for launching a pilot project in the border districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Fazilka to strengthen psychosocial care alongside the existing medical treatment of people battling drug addiction at OOAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) Clinics and jails in Gurdaspur and Kapurthala.
The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting between the Chief Minister and a delegation of the Art of Living Foundation here today. Chairing the meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The initiative will introduce an ‘Art of Living’-based spiritual wellness programme aimed at bridging the crucial gap between medication-based treatment and sustained psychosocial rehabilitation. Although Punjab has expanded access to medication for people affected by drug addiction, retaining patients in treatment during the initial months remains a major challenge.”
Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asked the Art of Living Foundation to undertake a pilot project in Mansa and Sangrur districts to explore and formulate comprehensive strategies for groundwater recharge and conservation. “The initiative will initially be implemented in Mansa and Sangrur before being expanded across the state. It is essential to conserve every drop of groundwater so that this invaluable gift of nature can be safeguarded for future generations,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of groundwater conservation, he said, “The government has established an extensive network of watercourses and distributaries across Punjab to maximise the use of canal water. We have laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines. While only 22% of irrigation water used to come from canals when our government assumed office, canal water utilisation for agriculture has now increased to 88%.”
