CHANDIGARH: The Bhagwant Mann government felicitated members of Village and Ward Defence Committees for their contribution to the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ on the occasion of Independence Day. The felicitation ceremonies have kicked off a structured fortnight-long action and review process concluding with a state-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on 31st August.
To integrate the Bhagwant Mann government’s initiative across all levels of government, Yudh Nashean Virudh activities will be front and centre in all celebrations around National Days and other significant government occasions. A decision to this effect was taken at the state-level function held on August 2 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
As part of this initiative, outstanding members of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Ward Defence Committees (WDCs) were felicitated across the state for their exemplary contribution to Punjab’s fight against drugs. The recognition serves as an important platform for those working at the community level to make Punjab a drug-free state.
At the district level, Deputy Commissioners honoured Assembly Coordinators and Vice Assembly Coordinators, while at the sub-division level, Sub-Divisional Magistrates felicitated Block Coordinators.
At the village level, special programmes were organised at various schools and panchayats, where sarpanches and community members recognised VDC members for their efforts towards building a drug-free Punjab.
The Deputy Commissioners of all 23 districts were directed to identify deserving VDC and WDC members in recognition of their contribution and active participation in furthering the objectives of Yudh Nashean Virudh.
The felicitation drive is part of a larger plan issued by the Office of the State Nodal Officer for the Anti-Drug Campaign that envisages a detailed fortnight-long campaign designed to turn community feedback into regular administrative and police reviews.
From August 16 to 25, VDC meetings will be held in every village. During these meetings, the committees will review any complaints about drug trafficking, examine the action taken by the police and administration on earlier complaints, track pending cases and provide fresh feedback.
The exercise will then move to the district level. Between August 26 and 29, cabinet ministers will chair district-level review meetings involving administration and police officials, health department representatives and district, assembly and block-level coordinators. The meetings will examine the feedback received from villages and determine further action.
The entire exercise will conclude with a state-level review meeting on August 31 to be chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In this meeting, the government will assess district-wise progress and chalk out the plan for the next phase of the campaign.
With Independence Day serving as the first major platform for recognising members of the community who are at the forefront of the anti-drug campaign, the government is turning the campaign into a sustained people-led movement against drugs rather than limiting it to an enforcement initiative.
