Consider overhauling panels to monitor de-addiction centres: HC to Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH The Punjab and Haryana high court has asked governments of Punjab and Haryana and Chandigarh administration to consider overhauling of state committees constituted to monitor functioning of de-addiction centres in their areas of jurisdiction.

The direction was passed by the HC bench of justice Surya Kant and justice Sudip Ahlu-

THE DIRECTION WAS PASSED DURING THE RESUMED HEARING OF A SUO MOTU PETITION INITIATED TO OVERSEE DEADDICTION CENTRES

walia during the resumed hearing of a suo motu petition initiated to oversee functioning of de-addiction centres.

Earlier, Amicus curiae Atul Lakhanpal told the court that the committees comprise of secretary-level officials of different departments in both the states and the UT and they fail to meet on regular intervals due to which the functioning of de-addiction centres is not being monitored.

The court was also apprised of reports prepared in other related matters whereby poor state of affairs in governmentrun de-addiction centres of all three respondents had come to fore.

The high court has now fixed the matter for hearing on May 19 and asked both the states and the UT to consider changes in the rules of constitution of these committees so the NGOs, sociologist, psychologists could be roped in for better functioning of these centres.

The high court also directed the respondents to create a corpus for the purpose so that no shortage of funds is faced in providing facilities at these centres.