Aishwarya Rathore –
Published on: September 16, 2021 at 14:57 IST
The Himachal Pradesh High Court issued Notices to the Additional Chief Secretary and Director of Social Justice and Empowerment on Wednesday regarding the terrible state of the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) owing to financial constraints.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed these Orders on a Petition taken up by the Court as Public Interest Litigation on a News Article published under the title “De-addiction centres battle fund crunch“.
A Press note issued by the Himachal Pradesh High Court stated, “While the IRCA centres in Kullu, Dharamshala and Chamba, Mandi and Sirmaur and Bilaspur have received initial funds, they are yet to be operational.”
The Press note further read, “In 2019, the 15-bed centre started in Shimla, is now facing closure as it has not received grants over Rs. 54 lakh from the Central Government during the past two years.”
In Himachal Pradesh, drug addiction is on the rise, with 2,126 cases reported between January 1, 2021 and April 30, 2021.
The Court ordered the Authorities to file a written statement within two weeks.
Click here to read/download order
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