KATRA : Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, expressed his concern today about the drug epidemic that is now affecting the holy sites of Katra Vaishnodevi and Reasi district. The minister expressed his concern over hearing reports of an increase in juvenile substance usage in this area. In the previous two days, the Minister had review talks on the issue with the local government and police enforcement. In order to accomplish Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s goal of making India a developed country by 2047, Dr. Jitendra Singh pleaded with parents and the local government to wean children off of narcotics. He said that children’s potential must be tapped into in this endeavour.He asserted that the sanctity of the holy city of Katra must be upheld and that it must serve as a model for societal principles. According to the minister, a strategy plan is being created at the social and local administration levels to combat drug addiction. He said that in order to stop the threat, hotspots would be found and social awareness would be raised. Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing after the Central Bureau of Communication, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, opened the Navratri festival and Multimedia Exhibition in this location to commemorate the auspicious Navratras.The Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School in Katra is hosting a week-long exhibition with the theme “9 Years of Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan.” The display takes place during Katra’s Navratri Festival. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who spoke at the event, declared that the development of the area is the top priority of the administration at the Centre, which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that over the past nine years, the area had undergone revolutionary transformation. Dr. Jitendra Singh mentioned infrastructure projects and stated that Reasi now boasts the highest railway bridge in the entire world. Soon, the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Motorway will be completed.According to him, Katra was the second station in the nation to receive the Vande Bharat train, and when the rail line is completed with Kashmir Valley by the end of this year, Katra would be a significant junction. The Minister was informed that Katra was chosen for the Modi government’s PRASAD programme and that it would soon also receive a Multimode Inter Station. Joint Director of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Shri Ghulam Abbas, stated in his speech that the division has been educating the people about government initiatives and projects. He stated that this show is a part of attempts to spread the word to the general public. Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Ms. Babila Rakwal, SSP Reasi Amit Sharma, and DDC Chairman Reasi Sarv Singh Shashi Gupta, the chairman of the municipal council, Vice Chairman Ajay Baru, DDC members, PRIs, and other top administrators were present. Ajay Nanda, a former minister, Baldev Sharma, Prabhat Singh, Rohit Dubey, and other local activists were also in attendance.
