SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has ordered all government departments to issue necessary instructions to make dope testing mandatory for individuals before they join government service, according to an official statement issued on Saturday.
Sukhu, who chaired a meeting of administrative secretaries, said protecting youth from the menace of drug abuse remains a top priority for the state government.
Seeking details of the action taken against government employees found involved in smuggling of ‘cheetah’, the Chief Minister said that the state government has launched a mass movement against drugs while taking strict action against the drug mafia.
On May 11, the government directed officials to take action against 123 government employees found involved in drug-related activities. Among them, 31 employees, including 21 from the police department, have already been dismissed from service.
The Chief Minister also asked the departments to provide complete details of applicants seeking employment on humanitarian grounds so that the state government can take appropriate decision on the pending issues.
Reviewing employee welfare measures, he directed all departments to ensure early payment of pending gratuity and leave entitlement to tier-4 pensioners, in line with his budget announcement.
The Prime Minister also requested information on vacancies in departments to facilitate early recruitment. He said that the government has decided to fill 500 posts of junior office assistant.
Sukho also directed officials to collect data on trees uprooted or felled on forest lands due to recent storms, so that they can be removed in a time-bound manner.
A special campaign for this purpose will start on June 1. The Chief Minister said delay in removing fallen trees is leading to losses in the state’s resources and instructed forest department officers to ensure their prompt removal and timely disposal on priority basis.
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