Una, August 18:- As part of the comprehensive public awareness campaign being undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to make Himachal Pradesh drug-free, an ‘Anti-Chitta Walkathon’ will be organized in Una on September 7. To ensure the successful organization of the walkathon, Deputy Commissioner Una Jatin Lal held a meeting with officials at the District Council Hall today, reviewed the preparations, and issued necessary directions to the concerned departments.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that as per the proposed programme, on Monday, September 7, at around 10 am, Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will flag off the ‘Anti-Chitta Walkathon’ from Indira Stadium Una and will himself participate in the walkathon, walking along with the participants. As per the proposed route, the walkathon will start from Indira Stadium Una, take a U-turn near the bus stand, and conclude back at Indira Stadium.
He said that the Chief Minister will also administer the ‘Anti-Chitta Pledge’ to the youth and the gathering present, urging them to stay away from drugs and make society drug-free. During the event, he will also interact with the youth. The objective of the walkathon is to make young people aware of the harmful effects of Chitta and other drugs and to further strengthen collective awareness against drug abuse in society.
The Deputy Commissioner said that students from Class 9 onwards up to the final year of college are being included as the main target group in the walkathon. Efforts are being made to ensure maximum participation of the concerned educational institutions so that the message of awareness against drugs can effectively reach the youth.
He informed that before the arrival of the Chief Minister at Indira Stadium, artists of the police band ‘Harmony of Pines’ will spread the message of awareness against drugs through music and songs. An effort will be made to convey positive and inspiring messages to the youth through the cultural programme.

**Nodal Officers Appointed for Better Arrangements**
The Deputy Commissioner informed that responsibilities have been assigned to various officials for the successful and well-organized conduct of the walkathon. Additional Deputy Commissioner Una Ishant Jaswal has been appointed as the overall nodal officer for the event. The SDMs and DSPs of the concerned subdivisions will be responsible for proper coordination and management of the movement of students from their respective areas.
The District Youth Services and Sports Officer has been assigned responsibility for arrangements related to the proper management of students at Indira Stadium. The District Panchayat Officer has been appointed as the nodal officer for coordination and monitoring of bus routes and movement from various subdivisions. The PO DRDA has been directed to ensure coordination of food and other necessary arrangements for the students.
The Municipal Corporation will ensure decoration of the venue, cleanliness and sanitation arrangements in the city. Necessary cooperation will also be sought from the industrial sector for the event. The Assistant Commissioner has been assigned necessary responsibilities related to protocol arrangements.

**Educational Institutions Directed to Complete Necessary Preparations**
The Deputy Commissioner directed the Deputy Director of Higher Education to coordinate with the concerned educational institutions and ensure that the necessary preparations are completed within the stipulated time. He asked all SDMs to hold meetings with the concerned officials and educational institutions in their respective subdivisions and review the arrangements related to the walkathon.
He directed the concerned officials to inspect the proposed route and assess arrangements related to entry and exit points, traffic, parking, movement of students and other facilities in advance, so that arrangements remain smooth during the event.

**Adequate Arrangements for Drinking Water, Toilets and Health Facilities**
The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officials to ensure adequate drinking water arrangements at the venue. Necessary arrangements have also been directed to be made for the availability of sufficient toilets and for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation at and around the venue.
The Health Department has been directed to establish a health post at the venue and ensure the availability of an ambulance during the walkathon. The concerned officials have also been directed to ensure adequate arrangements for food and other essential facilities for the students.

**Police to Coordinate Traffic and Parking Arrangements**
The Deputy Commissioner directed the Police Department to make proper arrangements for traffic management and maintenance of law and order during the walkathon. He also directed that necessary arrangements for traffic management, parking and smooth movement of participants along the proposed route be ensured in advance.
The Deputy Commissioner said that all departments should work in coordination to give the ‘Anti-Chitta Walkathon’ the form of an effective public awareness campaign against drug abuse. He directed the officials to ensure timely completion of all arrangements and make the event well-organized and effective.
Superintendent of Police Sachin Hiremath gave necessary suggestions regarding traffic and other arrangements during the walkathon at the meeting. He informed that publicity material related to the campaign would be received from the Police Headquarters and would be widely publicized. Emphasizing better coordination, he called for ensuring maximum participation of youth.
Assistant Commissioner Vinay Modi, SDM Una Abhishek Mittal, SDM Bangana Sonu Goyal, SDM Gagret Somil Gautam, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Una Prithi Pal Singh, Commandant Home Guards Hitesh Lakhanpal, DSP Mohan Rawat, Chief Medical Officer Dr. S.K. Verma, MS Dr. Sanjay Guleria, District Panchayat Officer Shravan Kumar and officials from various departments were present at the meeting.