For economic rehabilitation of the unemployed youth and children not enrolled in schools, the departments of youth service and sports, education, rural development should identify such youth to bolster the employable skills and livelihood potential besides their economic rehabilitation.

This was stated by Chief Secretary Dr Shrikant Baldi in a meeting held here on Wednesday pertaining to special drive on prevention of drug abuse and alcoholism in the state to be launched from 15 November to 15 December 2019 by Chief Minister from the Ridge, Shimla.

He said that as the Kaushal Vikas Nigam is also the primary implementing agency of the Himachal Pradesh Skills Development Project, the youth should be identified by the departments and tie-up with the Nigam as well.

“For increasing the employability of such children who are not going to school and unemployed youth, we should catch them young so that their energy could be channelized in a proper manner rather than their falling trap of drug peddlers and becoming habitual of intoxicants.”

Baldi said that the aim of the month-long campaign was to spread awareness amongst the masses, particularly to communicate messages deep to the parents and children about the ill effects of drugs and how to desist from this toxic evil. He also stressed for tie-ups with industrial associations in Himachal and provide them need-based skill masters.

Directions were given to provide much-needed media coverage throughout the state, wherein the Department of Information and Public Relations will issue press releases with a photograph every day from the headquarters besides also form their field offices which will be reviewed on day to day basis.

The Chief Secretary said that to give wings to Mukhya Mantri Swavalamban Yojna and create more opportunities of self-employment the need of the hour was to funnel the caliber of the youth. As of now, a subsidy of 25 to 30 percent was being provided to the youth under the scheme.

He exhorted all the departments and non-government organisations to come forward to fight the evil of drugs in a befitting manner. Head of the departments and nodal officers attended the meeting.