Why Does Himachal Pradesh CM Urge Youth to Avoid Drugs?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CM urges youth to reject drugs
- Government committed to rehabilitation efforts
- Investment in tourism to boost the economy
- Educational reforms improving state rankings
- Support for orphaned children with financial aid
Shimla, Aug 12 (NationPress) Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called upon the youth on Tuesday to steer clear of drugs and to play an active role in the mission to achieve a drug-free state.
He encouraged young individuals to report drug traffickers to law enforcement and promised that the government is dedicated to rehabilitating those ensnared in the drug crisis.
CM Sukhu pledged stringent measures against drug cartels, including the confiscation of their properties.
“The youth of today are the nation’s future, and the advancement of Himachal Pradesh is closely tied to their welfare,” the Chief Minister stated on International Youth Day.
“The initiatives we are instituting now will benefit the youth in the next five years, allowing them to proudly identify as residents of the most prosperous state in the nation,” he added.
The Chief Minister noted that the government is fostering employment and self-employment prospects for young people, while also promoting start-up enterprises.
“To enhance tourism, the state plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore in the forthcoming years. The government is providing loans at a 4% interest rate for home-stay development. Currently, around 8,000 homestays are operational, and tourism activities are commencing along the China border. These initiatives will significantly boost the state's tourism sector,” the Chief Minister conveyed in a statement.
He mentioned that educational reforms have propelled Himachal Pradesh's ranking from 21st to 5th in the country.
Ten Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools are set to open in the next academic year, providing education from pre-nursery to Class 12.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that 6,000 orphaned children have been recognized as ‘Children of the State’, along with financial assistance for higher education under the Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana, which offers loans up to Rs 20 lakh at just 1% interest.
CM Sukhu remarked that while 90% of the state's population resides in rural areas, agriculture is no longer the primary source of livelihood.
The government is advocating for natural farming and providing minimum support prices for wheat, maize, raw turmeric, and barley.
He expressed aspirations for Himachal to become a leader in natural farming, with processed goods being accessible via fair price shops.
“I also received a call from Gujarat's Governor Acharya Devvrat, who commended the state government's efforts to promote natural farming in our region,” the Chief Minister concluded.