Himachal Pradesh High Court Issues Notice To State Over Poor Conditions Of De-Addiction Centres

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the State Government over debilitated conditions of the "De-addicition centres".

In a case registered suo moto, a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua also issued notices to the Additional Chief Secretary and the Director, Social Justice and Empowerment of the State.

The case has been registered based on an article published in "The Tribune" newspaper, titled 'De-addiction centers battle fund crunch'.

The said article discusses the deplorable condition of the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) due to the financial crunch.

It mentioned that the centers established in Kullu (women), Dharamsala, Chamba, Mandi, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, and Solan are yet to be operational. These have received the first grant. The IRCA in Shimla is facing closure due to the lack of financial support, the article noted.

Other than lacking financial support, it also discussed issues of low occupancy, poor working conditions for staff, inability to maintain basic facilities, amongst other gripping problems.

Referring to the rising incidents of drug abuse in the state, it mentioned that there are four functional IRCAs in the state in Shimla, Kullu, Una, and Hamirpur, with a total capacity of 60 beds. The other three are running in full capacity, but these are also facing financial constraints.

It noted,

"While the centers, established in Kullu (women), Dharamsala, Chamba, Mandi, Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Solan, are yet to be operational despite the receipt of the first grants, the 15-bed center, started in Shimla in 2019, is facing closure as it has not received grants (over Rs 54 lakh) from the Centre during the past two years."

Additional Advocate General Ritta Goswami appeared for the State of Himachal Pradesh and represented the Additional Chief Secretary (Social Justice and Empowerment) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh and the Director, Social Justice and Empowerment, Himachal Pradesh.

The Respondents have been directed to file their replies in the matter within 2 weeks.

Case Title: CWPIL No.28 of 2021 Court on its own motion

Click Here To Download The Order

Read The Order