Srinagar, July 14,2026- Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the proposed Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, a comprehensive initiative aimed at establishing a convergence-based framework for the rehabilitation and social reintegration of individuals recovering from substance use disorders across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary, Home Department Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department Sarmad Hafeez, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Sarmad Hafeez presented the key features of the proposed scheme, which has been designed to provide long-term rehabilitation, livelihood opportunities, and sustained social inclusion for individuals recovering from drug addiction.
The proposed scheme outlines a structured three-year rehabilitation cycle. Phase I focuses on treatment, medical care, counselling, and preparation of Individual Rehabilitation Plans (IRPs). Phase II emphasizes education, skill development, employment generation, and family reintegration, while Phase III provides long-term monitoring, relapse prevention, community support, and sustained social inclusion through coordinated interventions by multiple government departments.
Officials also informed the Lieutenant Governor that a dedicated Rehabilitation Monitoring Portal (RMP) is being developed to enable digital case management, real-time tracking of rehabilitation outcomes, monitoring of Individual Rehabilitation Plans, and seamless inter-departmental coordination while ensuring the confidentiality of beneficiaries.
The scheme has been prepared by a Task Force constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Home Department, following the directions of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, with the Social Welfare Department serving as the nodal agency. The Task Force comprises representatives from key stakeholder departments and has developed the framework through a coordinated inter-departmental approach.
Appreciating the collaborative efforts of the Task Force, LG Manoj Sinha stressed the need for a coordinated, humane, and outcome-oriented rehabilitation framework that ensures sustained recovery, social inclusion, and meaningful livelihood opportunities for individuals affected by substance abuse.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that community participation, family support, skill development, and continuous monitoring must remain the foundation of the rehabilitation process. He directed all concerned departments to ensure close coordination for the effective implementation of the scheme.
Highlighting the role of technology in governance, the Lieutenant Governor instructed officials to leverage digital tools for transparent monitoring and evidence-based decision-making through the proposed Rehabilitation Monitoring Portal.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative before its Union Territory-wide rollout, LG Manoj Sinha directed that the scheme be piloted in the two most drug-affected districts—one each from the Kashmir and Jammu divisions. He said the pilot project should be closely monitored so that lessons learned can be incorporated before expanding the programme across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed departments to identify dedicated officers who will work with commitment towards the rehabilitation of drug abuse victims. He further instructed officials to engage motivated women volunteers and community groups, provide them with appropriate training, and involve them in counselling and rehabilitation efforts.
Underscoring the importance of community engagement, LG Manoj Sinha said successful reintegration into mainstream society requires active participation from volunteers, civil society, and government employees. He also called for the early commencement of training and capacity-building programmes to equip frontline personnel with the specialised skills required to deliver effective rehabilitation services.
The proposed Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026 is expected to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing anti-drug campaign by integrating treatment, rehabilitation, skill development, employment, and social inclusion under a single coordinated framework, reinforcing the administration’s vision of a Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir.
