Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 11 : The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Monday announced that the state government will make dope testing for "chitta" (heroin) mandatory for recruitment to government jobs and admissions to working professionals, as part of an intensified campaign against drug abuse in the hill state.
Addressing mediapersons in Shimla after a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), the Chief Minister said the state government has launched an aggressive multi-pronged campaign against narcotics, particularly heroin, under the PIT-NDPS Act and a statewide anti-drug movement.
"We started implementing the PIT-NDPS Act soon after our government came to power and launched a campaign against chitta. This is not merely a government programme but a mass movement to save the future of Himachal Pradesh," Sukhu said.
He said mandatory dope tests for heroin consumption would be introduced in future government recruitments and for admissions to professional institutions such as medical and engineering colleges.
"The objective is awareness and prevention. Students or candidates found consuming drugs will not be denied education opportunities but will instead be rehabilitated and provided proper treatment," he added.
The Chief Minister said the state government had adopted a "zero tolerance" policy against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse and had initiated coordinated action involving enforcement agencies, rehabilitation measures and public participation.
According to the Chief Minister, since 2023, Himachal Pradesh Police has registered 6,811 cases under the NDPS Act, arrested 10,357 persons and seized 45,867 kilograms of narcotic substances, including heroin, cannabis and psychotropic drugs.
He said 174 major drug peddlers and mafia elements had been detained under the PIT-NDPS Act, while a special anti-drug campaign launched during the past week resulted in the detention of 32 accused persons.
Sukhu claimed that Himachal Pradesh had emerged as the leading state in the country in preventive action under the PIT-NDPS Act. "In 2026 alone, Himachal Pradesh Police accounted for nearly 33 per cent of the total preventive actions taken under the NDPS Act in the country," he said.
The Chief Minister said the government had categorised gram panchayats into red, yellow and green categories depending on the extent of drug abuse. Around 12,000 individuals involved in narcotics consumption have been identified so far and special surveillance has been intensified in 234 highly sensitive panchayats across the state.
He said the Special Task Force (STF) had examined more than 700 cases and identified around 300 cases for financial investigation and property tracing. Authorities have so far identified 70 illegal properties linked to the narcotics trade, while 17 such properties have already been demolished, including 12 in Kangra district. One more property in Kangra is likely to be demolished shortly.
"Our message is very clear, properties acquired through the drug trade will not be allowed to survive," the Chief Minister said, adding that repeat offenders would not be spared and legal agencies had been instructed to strongly oppose bail or relief for habitual offenders.
Sukhu also disclosed that 122 government employees from various departments had been found involved in drug-related activities. Of them, 31 have already been terminated from service.
He said 21 policemen found involved in narcotics cases had been dismissed from service, while employees from departments including electricity, education, transport, banking, forest, health and revenue were also found involved.
"Anyone found involved in drug trafficking or consumption, irrespective of position, will face strict action," he said.
The Chief Minister announced that a dedicated de-addiction centre for women would soon be opened under the leadership of the police department, while another centre would be established at Tanda.
He appealed to families not to fear reporting cases of addiction and urged them to use the emergency helpline number 112 for assistance. "Victims of addiction will not be arrested. They will receive treatment and rehabilitation support," he said.
The reward amount for providing information related to narcotics trafficking is also being increased, he added.
Sukhu further announced that the second phase of the "Chitta Mukt Himachal" campaign would be launched from August 1 to August 20, 2026. During the campaign, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and other Class-I officers would visit schools, colleges, panchayats and educational institutions across the state to conduct awareness drives.
"After the second phase, I myself will visit the remaining eight districts to strengthen the awareness campaign," he said.
The Chief Minister warned pharmaceutical companies, chemists and medical establishments against illegal sale of narcotic medicines and said licences of violators would be cancelled immediately.
He also said anti-drug performance indicators would be included in the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to ensure accountability in tackling narcotics cases.
Referring to appreciation from national agencies, Sukhu said officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau had praised Himachal Pradesh's panchayat-level anti-drug model and described it as an example for other states.