Kashmir’s civil society is a reflection of its ethical and social character. Lacking both, the only significant achievements of the civil society to date have been to support hartals and the anti-India tirade
‘Kashmir needs civil society reforms’
Srinagar: Eminent personalities of the state participated in the discussion and pondered upon the need of a serious civil society for social reforms in Kashmir.
Issues like rampant abuse of drugs and lack of drug policy were taken up during the deliberations.
The discussion was moderated by senior journalist Dr Syed Shujaat Bukhari. The event was organized by Civil Society Forum which has been working towards building a strong civil society for social reforms in the valley. Most of the participants in the discussion agreed and extended support to such a forum in the valley.
Dr Mehraj-u-Din, former director SKIMS while speaking on the occasion said that the society was in dire need of reform and everyone has to pitch in.
“There is no policy for regulating drugs in the Sate. There is no antibiotics policy”, said Dr Mehraj-u-din. He further added that there is an urgent need of strong drug acts and nursing act.
Senior oncologist Dr Shaad Salim also pointed at the need of implementation of strong regulations in the area of smoking and drugs.
Another panelist and senior member of the society Professor Untoo, who has been a member of Red Cross Society, asked a pertinent question to find out if the existing laws were being enforced in the society.
He pointed at the fact the pharmacists were giving out drugs without prescriptions.
Rt. SSP of J&K Police Reyaz Bedar was critical about the functioning of narcotics departments in the valley.
He pointed at the lack of enforcement and implementation of existing laws. “Let us pressurize the government to implement existing laws. As a civil society we should come out and pressurize the government to bring out the drug policy for the State”, said Bedar.
The other members who participated in the discussion include Justice (Rt) Bashir Ahmad Kirmani, Engineer Zahoor Ahmad Bhat president Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Principle SP College Prof Zahoor Chat, Businessman Umar Tramboo, Journalist Shuja-ul-Haq, Salman Sagar, Afrooz Mir.