Dr. Sikandar raised issue of increasing drug addiction among the youth in Himachal

Dr. Sikandar Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP and State General Secretary of BJP raised the issue of increasing drug addiction among the youth and its effects in the House on the first day of the monsoon session today.
He said that at present, the scope of challenges related to the problem of drug addiction is increasing continuously in many states including Himachal Pradesh. Drug abuse and drug trafficking has become a serious problem among the youth who are the future of the growing India and this addiction is not any common drug but is from many strong mixtures made from complex processes of ganja, heroin, opium, hashish and chemicals. Many types of drugs including cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine are traded under criminal networks, which also endangers national security.
The Rajya Sabha MP urged the Central Government to seriously consider this issue and demanded the provision of strict policies and stringent laws to solve this problem. He also demanded inclusion of chapters on drug addiction, its effects and de-addiction in the field of education as an important syllabus so that the youth can be made aware of the serious consequences of drug addiction.
Dr. Sikander Kumar sought to know from the Minister of Coal and Mines, Government of India through the House whether the Government has issued any instructions to the State Mining Department regarding overlooking regulatory violations in cases of illegal sand mining without obtaining mandatory environmental clearance in the industrial town of Baddi in Himachal Pradesh? What is the detail of estimated loss due to illegal sand mining in Himachal Pradesh during the last three years? What is the detail of action taken and steps taken to stop illegal sand mining and against illegal storage and sale of minor minerals in Himachal Pradesh?
Replying to questions posed by Dr. Sikander, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said that under Section 15 of the MMDR Act 1957, State Governments have been empowered to regulate the grant of quarry leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and to make rules for purposes connected therewith. Also, State Governments have been empowered to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for matters connected therewith, hence, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Government to control illegal mining. Several measures have been taken by the Himachal Pradesh State Government to curb illegal sand mining which include ban on mining activities during night time, making custodian departments responsible for taking action against illegal mining, lodging of FIR in case of damage to public property, installation of sign boards in mining lease areas for information of general public, constitution of sub-division level flying squads, empowering other departments to check illegal mining and seize illegal material/vehicles, verification of transit passes beyond 50 km from the source etc.
The Union Minister presented in the House the details of the action taken by the Himachal Pradesh Government against illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals during the last three years.