A painting competition was held today, on 22-05-2016, on the theme ’Drug addiction is an invitation to death and destruction’’ by Jammu & Kashmir Excise Department across the state at different selected venues. The competition was held under the overall supervision of sh. T. Angchuk, Excise Commissioner, J&K, and Sh. Mohammed Shahid Saleem Dar, Dy. Excise Commissioner Executive, Jammu. The matter was taken up with the Director School Education Jammu/Kashmir by them for cooperation of the Education Department so as to send am maximum number of participants for a successful event. In Excise Range Rajouri –Poonch, which comprises of the twin districts .i.e Rajouri & Poonch, the venue of painting competition, was Govt. Boys Higher Secondary School Rajouri. A total of ninety nine (99) students participated in the competitions in the range. There were two category of the participants. The group 1st was from class 1st to class 6th and the 2nd group was that of the students from class 7th to 12th. In the 1st category a total of forty four (44) students participated whereas in the 2nd category a total of fifty five (55) students participated. The competition started at 10.00 am sharp and was closed at 11.30 am. The competition was supervised by Sh. Riyaz Ahmed Malik, Vice Principal, Boys Higher Secondary School Rajouri and Sh.
Kurshid Ahmed Lecturer, besides ETO Rajouri -Poonch and his team.Giving details to the media persons, the Excise & Taxation Officer, Excise Range Rajouri-Poonch, Sh. Sheraz Ahmed Chouhan said that a good response of the students and public of the area has been observed which reveals that the peoples are very much concerned about the abuse of drugs in the society and its impacts on the coming generations. He informed that the painting so prepared today by the students shall be collected by the Department and send to higher authorities wherein a common jury will decide the merit position of the participants in different ranges and accordingly the prizes shall be distributed in a special function to be organized by the Department for the same purpose.He also apprised the media that Excise Department is not only concerned with the regulation of the liquor trade as per the License conditions provided under Excise Act Smvt., 1958 but it is also working strictly against the illicit distillation of liquor in different areas of the State, poppy destruction, and destruction of naturally growing Bhang in different areas.
He told reporters that like other Excise Ranges, recently, in Poonch sub-range of this range, the naturally growing Bhang has been destroyed on about 5 kanals of land in and around religious and educational institutions.He said that the Department shall continue to conduct such awareness programmes through seminars, debates, painting competition and symposium in future also and hoped that the response of the people shall always remain positive. He also requested the students and parents hailing from different areas of the twin districts to inform the Excise Department regarding any narcotic drugs smuggler(s) and those carrying on illegal distillation of liquor in the area, so that the Department can take appropriate action against the culprits under rules.On the occasion, Er. Liaqit Chowdhary, a social activist, working on the drug abuse movement, told the reporters that it is a welcome step taken by the Excise Department for the 1st time in its history. From this step a large population of the state, specially the younger generation will get awareness regarding the abuse of drugs and its bad effect. As such, with this initiative of the department and with the cooperation of the public at large, the society will get rid of many abuses. He thanked Excise Commissioner, J&K, Dy. Excise Commissioner Executive, Jammu and the Excise staff of Excise Range Rajouri-Poonch. In the end, refreshment was distributed among the participants and the students left for their respective destination.