Seeks clarity on ₹900-crore startup fund, raises concerns over education policies and demands a concrete employment roadmap for Himachal’s youth
Munish Sood
Mandi
Questioning the state government’s approach to its anti-drug campaign, Prof. Anupama Singh has raised concerns over the participation of schoolchildren in rallies and marathons, arguing that awareness drives should not come at the cost of their academic commitments.
In a statement, Prof. Singh said that while combating drug abuse was a collective social responsibility, involving schoolchildren in public events at the expense of classroom education raised serious questions. She also questioned whether educational institutions were being pressured to ensure students’ participation in such programmes and alleged that administrative machinery and educational institutions should not be used for political mobilisation.
Drawing a parallel with the famous story The Pied Piper of Hamelin, she cautioned against turning children into participants in mass activities without adequately considering their educational priorities. She said the government must recognise that safeguarding the future of children was more important than organising rallies and public demonstrations.
Raising broader questions about the government’s youth policy, Prof. Singh sought details of the approximately ₹900-crore startup fund announced to promote entrepreneurship in the state. She demanded transparency regarding the fund’s allocation, utilisation and disbursement, besides the number of young entrepreneurs who had actually benefited from the initiative.
She said the government needed to explain what concrete opportunities had been created for unemployed youth through the proposed initiative and how many aspiring entrepreneurs were still awaiting assistance.
Prof. Singh also expressed concern over the closure and merger of government schools and colleges, saying such decisions had raised questions about access to education in the state. She stressed the need for a clear policy to promote employment generation, industrial investment, entrepreneurship and skill development.
Referring to the state’s initiatives concerning lottery regulation and the proposed licensing framework for cannabis cultivation for medicinal and scientific purposes, she sought clarity on their expected economic benefits for farmers and young people, as well as the safeguards put in place to prevent misuse.
On the growing drug menace, Prof. Singh maintained that awareness campaigns and public events alone would not deliver lasting results. She called for stringent action against international and interstate drug trafficking networks, closer surveillance, dismantling of supply chains and action against the financial networks supporting the illegal trade.
She said an effective anti-drug strategy must also focus on providing young people with quality education, employment, sports facilities, skill development, counselling and rehabilitation services.
Clarifying her stand, Prof. Singh said her objection was not to the anti-drug campaign but to the manner in which children were being involved in such activities. She emphasised that the government must address the underlying challenges confronting young people instead of limiting its efforts to awareness programmes.
“Young people need more than slogans; they need employment opportunities, meaningful avenues for growth and the assurance of a secure future,” she said, urging the state government to present a concrete roadmap for the state’s youth.
