SHILLONG:
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, on June 15, informed that the government will allocate Rs 10 crore to fight the menace of drugs in the state through different approaches, involving all the stakeholders like parents, schools, faith-based organisations and civil society groups.
With the identification of seven hotspot districts where the menace is found to be rampant, Lyngdoh said funds will be allocated for these districts. “We have first approached the faith-based organisations because they have the infrastructure so we have asked them to come up with proposals so that the pilot project can take off immediately,” he said.
He said funds will also be allocated to all the districts, NGOs, and other entities with credible credentials to fight substance abuse in the state.
Asked about the steps taken by the government to ensure transparency on the utilisation of funds, the minister said that the department has a system in place to monitor the flow and utilisation of funds.
“We have a mission director, development associates drawn from the planning department. All expenditure incurred will be made transparent,” he said.
He said that the faith leaders will have a meeting on June 19 after which they will come back to the government with suggestions to roll out the project.
When asked about the role of the churches in eradicating the menace of drugs, Lyngdoh said that religious organisations play a big role in the state, “and if we start preaching openly about drug addiction, and how as responsible citizens start to work to eliminate the menace, it will be a very significant step for the future of Meghalaya.”