Punjab CM moots enrolling NCC cadets as DAPOs

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today mooted enrolment of NCC cadets as drug abuse prevention officers (DAPOs) in the vulnerable border and rural areas of the state.

The chief minister asked the additional director general, National Cadet Corps (NCC) Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, to initiate the process of involving the cadets in the DAPO campaign, while directing the ACS Higher Education to work out a strategy for their enrolment.

The directives were issued during a high-level meeting with senior NCC officers in which the chief minister underlined the scope for harnessing the massive potential of the disciplined NCC cadets in the government's fight against drug abuse.

Singh also asked ADG NCC, R S Mann, to bring at least 547 more government schools, especially in the border and remote rural areas, within its ambit so that the students could be trained for gainful employment.

The chief minister assured the ADG that paucity of funds would not be allowed to hamper the NCC units in carrying out their activities and assured that more funds would be provided as the state's fiscal health was showing gradual signs of recovery.

Yesterday, Singh had ordered mandatory dope test on all government employees, including police personnel, from the time of their recruitment through every stage of their service.