*Highlights action plan to combat drug abuse
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 29: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo presided over a meeting today to assess the progress of digitizing land records for revenue villages in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the Digital India Land Record Modernisation Program (DILRMP).
The meeting included the Financial Commissioner (ACS), Revenue, along with the Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD; Secretary of Revenue; Director of Land Records; SIO from NIC; and other relevant officials.
During the meeting, Atal Dulloo reiterated the commitment of the UT Government to enhance the digitization and maintenance of land records under DILRMP, urging officials to complete the project within the established timeline.
The Chief Secretary stressed the significance of high-quality land records, noting that updated and transparent records promote optimal land resource management and enable better information sharing with various agencies for effective policy-making and planning. He emphasized that integrating digitized records with geo-referenced cadastral maps is crucial for ensuring easy access to land records, thereby improving public service delivery efficiency.
He further called for the formation of teams of revenue experts to visit districts and verify the accuracy of the digitized records. Dulloo insisted that it is essential to assess the quality and reliability of these records and encouraged citizens to examine their own records for any inaccuracies to facilitate timely corrections.
Highlighting that many services provided by the Revenue Department are guaranteed under the Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), the Chief Secretary emphasized the need for effective monitoring of service delivery across multiple levels. He urged caution against last-minute application rejections or cancellations, which undermine the intent of the PSGA.
Furthermore, regarding the National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA), he stressed its critical importance, as it will clarify land ownership and help resolve urban land disputes. He stated that completing this program will ensure that urban land records are both accurate and current, ultimately empowering citizens and improving urban planning.
In a parallel effort, the Chief Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to totally eradicating drug abuse. He underscored the urgent need for a results-driven action plan aimed at preventing and eliminating drug-related issues through widespread public awareness.
This statement came during a high-level meeting held at the Civil Secretariat. Various officials attended, including the Principal Secretary for Home Affairs, Commissioner Secretary for Social Welfare, Commissioner Secretary for H&UDD, Commissioner Secretary for GAD, ADGP Jammu, Divisional Commissioners for Kashmir and Jammu, Secretary for RDD, Director of Information, Drug Controller, as well as Deputy Commissioners and other relevant personnel.
The Chief Secretary instructed the Information Department to partner with other departments to enhance public awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. He pointed out the necessity of public awareness campaigns through posters, slogans, social media ads, and outreach in public transport and community spaces. He also asked for a short film to be produced that illustrates the adverse effects of drug use and methods to protect individuals and communities from this rising threat.
Promoting a comprehensive approach, Atal Dulloo stated that by implementing robust measures, the aim is to dismantle drug networks, reduce demand, and foster a healthier, safer society.
To broaden the impact, the Chief Secretary directed the Police, Health, School Education, Social Welfare, and Rural Development Departments to develop a calendar of activities that cover every Panchayat, helping to gain momentum for the Drug-Free Campaign, particularly among youth and students.
He urged all stakeholders to create a thorough action plan that ensures comprehensive outreach in every village throughout Jammu & Kashmir, guaranteeing that no community remains uninformed about the anti-drug initiatives. “The youth represent our nation’s future, and it is our collective duty to protect them from this significant challenge,” he emphasized.
Additionally, the Chief Secretary reviewed the operations of the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC).
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner Secretary of Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Sheetal Nanda; the Chairman of J&K Pollution Control Committee; a member of J&K Pollution Control Committee; and other relevant departmental officials.
He directed that the provisions of the Water and Air Acts must be enforced by operational industrial units and insisted that the closure orders issued by J&K PCC against stone crushers and brick kiln units under the Water Act 1974 and the Air Act 1981 should be implemented as mandated.
Dulloo directed the JKPCC to compile a list of units with undelivered closure orders to share with the Secretary of FEE, who will escalate the issue with the relevant DCs to ensure compliance. He stressed the importance of renewing consents strictly following the law.
Moreover, he mandated that operating stone crushers and brick kilns comply with the environmental standards established under the EPA 1986. He advocated for a zero-tolerance policy regarding environmental law violations by industrial entities.
