CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announces statewide Anti-Chitta Gram Sabhas and awareness sports tournaments to strengthen grassroots fight against drug abuse
The Himachal Pradesh government will organise Anti-Chitta Gram Sabhas in all Gram Panchayats on January 21 and 22, 2026, as part of an intensified campaign against drug abuse, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced while presiding over a meeting of senior officers.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said the Anti-Chitta Gram Sabhas would serve as a grassroots forum to review chitta-related information, identify vulnerable areas, and deliberate on rehabilitation and de-addiction of local youth affected by substance abuse. Officers from various departments will attend these sabhas as observers to ensure coordinated follow-up action.
Each Gram Panchayat, he said, would also undertake a detailed mapping of chitta-related activities, which would help the administration plan targeted enforcement, awareness, and rehabilitation measures.
The Chief Minister noted that statewide awareness campaigns were already underway to educate citizens about the harmful effects of chitta and other psychotropic substances, emphasising that community participation was critical to breaking the cycle of addiction.
Anti-Chitta Drive Strengthened Through Sports and Community Outreach
As part of the outreach programme, Anti-Chitta Awareness Sports Tournaments will be organised across the state on the lines of a Premier League-style format, he said. The tournaments will include kabaddi, cricket and volleyball competitions and will be conducted at the block, district and state levels. Winning teams will be awarded cash prizes by the Chief Minister, with the initiative aimed at positively engaging youth and steering them away from drugs.
Linking Ongoing Enforcement With Grassroots Action
The initiative builds on the State Government’s broader anti-drug strategy, which includes strengthening enforcement infrastructure and taking strict action against those involved in the chitta trade. Earlier, the government had flagged off modern anti-chitta and patrol vehicles to enhance surveillance, patrolling and rapid response capabilities across the state. In a parallel move, the administration recently dismissed police personnel found involved in chitta-related offences, reinforcing the message that no one is above the law.
Read more on enforcement measures here:
CM flags off anti-chitta vehicles in Himachal
https://dbetternews.com/cm-flags-off-anti-chitta-vehicles-in-himachal/
And on disciplinary action taken by the government here:
11 police personnel dismissed over chitta trade in Himachal
https://dbetternews.com/11-police-personnel-dismissed-over-chitta-trade-in-himachal/
Crackdown on Supply Networks and Preventive Measures
Reiterating the government’s multi-pronged approach, the Chief Minister said firm steps were being taken to break chitta trafficking networks. Properties identified as being acquired through drug money have been traced and will be demolished as per law, he said.
He also directed the Education Department to include a dedicated chapter on the ill effects of chitta in school textbooks to sensitise students from an early age. To strengthen local vigilance, Gram Panchayat Pradhans and Panchayat Samiti members will be included as special invitees in panchayat-level drug de-addiction committees.
In addition, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and women’s self-help groups (Mahila Mandals) will be actively involved in awareness generation and community monitoring.
Senior Officials Present
The meeting was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Director Rural Development Raghav Sharma, and other senior officers.
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