Himachal’s War on Chitta: Sukhu Makes Dope Test Mandatory for Government Jobs

Under attack from ‘chitta’ (heroin), the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has been forced to mandate dope testing for candidates before they join government services. The chief minister (CM) also stressed upon efficientcy within departments.

“All departments must work in close coordination to ensure timely implementation of government decisions and faster resolution of public issues,” Sukhu told officials during a high-level review meeting with Administrative Secretaries Friday, as part of the Congress government’s zero-tolerance approach against the spread of heroin menace in the state since it has as one of the most pressing social challenges.

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Calling the fight against drugs a top priority, CM Sukhu directed all departments to put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure drug screening prior to appointments.

The chief minister went a step further and also ordered all departments to submit action-taken-reports against government employees found to be involved in narcotics trafficking.

The move marks one of the strongest administrative interventions yet by the state government as it attempts to transform its anti-drug campaign from a law-and-order exercise into a wider governance initiative.

The chief minister also dealt with matters of administrative efficiency across departments, reviewing pending employee welfare cases, Sukhu instructed officials to expedite the release of gratuity and leave encashment dues of Class-IV pensioners, in line with commitments made in the state budget.

Sukhu also sought comprehensive details of pending compassionate appointment cases, signalling that the government may soon take a call on long-pending applications from families of deceased employees.

On the recruitment front, the chief minister reviewed vacancies across departments and pressed officials to accelerate the filling of vacant posts. He reiterated the government’s decision to recruit 500 Junior Office Assistants (IT), describing manpower shortages as a key impediment to efficient service delivery.

The meeting also focused on the aftermath of recent storms that have caused significant damage to forest areas. Sukhu directed officials to prepare an inventory of trees uprooted or felled on forest land and announced a special statewide campaign beginning June 1 for their removal and disposal.

Warning that delays in clearing fallen timber result in substantial losses to state resources, the Chief Minister instructed forest officials to undertake time-bound action and ensure prompt disposal of damaged wood.

With anti-drug enforcement, employee welfare, recruitment and forest management all featuring prominently in the review, the meeting reflected the government’s attempt to combine welfare delivery with administrative tightening as it enters a politically significant phase ahead of the next electoral cycle.