Excise Commissioner, J&K Tsering Angchok today felicitated winners of painting competition held by the department across the state as part of its anti-drug campaign.The winners felicitated today included students of schools falling in Excise Range (Jammu North) and Excise Range( Jammu South). The competition was held on the topic “Drug addiction is an invitation to death and destruction” on June 16, this year in all the excise districts of the state, at an impressive programme held at Amar Singh club.Around 2000 students participated in this open competition under two categories of students viz., Ist to 6th standard and 7th to 12th standard. The awards comprising of first cash prize of Rs 4000, second cash prize of Rs 3000, third cash prize of Rs 2000 and consolation cash prize of Rs 1000 along with trophy and a certificate of participation were distributed among twenty winner students for their thought provoking paintings on the topic of drug menace and its consequences.
Prominent writers Dr Mehnaz Choudhary and Dr. Abhishek Chouhan who have actively participated in the anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, were also honoured and given commendation certificates by the Excise Commissioner.Speaking on the occasion , the Excise Commissioner called this initiative as a strong means to create awareness among the youth against harmful effects of drugs and its use. He called this an auspicious beginning towards curbing and annihilating the drug addiction from the society forever.Highlighting the efforts made by Excise Department, the Excise commissioner said involvement of school going students and youth from colleges and universities and their correct orientation and sensitization about drug menace will go a long way to curb this demon from the society.Calling these young awardees as ‘Ambassadors for Anti Drug Drive’, he said a chain reaction has been set into motion today wherein more and more students will be taken into the fold and made part of drive launched by Excise department to create awareness among their peer and families for exterminating this menace of drugs that has assumed demonical proportions in the society.
On the occasion the Excise Commissioner also launched three audio visual clips against drunken driving and drug abuse to be released to the local media for public awareness.Meanwhile, as an initiative of the Government, the Excise department formally adopted and donated equipments to Mashwara Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for drug addicts,Purkhoo being run by J&K society for promotion of youth and masses.Among others present on the occasion were Dean Research , University of Jammu, Prof Jigar Mohammed, Additional Commissioner Commercial Taxes Adm.,Anoo Malhotra, Deputy Excise Commissioner , Executive ,Mohammed Shahid Saleem ,Deputy Excise Commissioner Toll Post Lakhanpur , Rajesh Sharma , Deputy Excise commissioner (Distilleries) Naginder Singh Jamwal, Dy Excise Commissioner (Accounts) Shagun Sharma, all Excise and Taxation officers, members of the Jammu wine trade and Bar associations and other distinguished guests.