03/05/2026
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: A Nation's Fight Against Drug Abuse
By Dr. Arshad
What is Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan?
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on 15th August 2020 with a vision to make India drug-sensitised and resilient against substance abuse. (Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan) Designed under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction, the campaign focuses on awareness, community mobilisation, and rehabilitation. Initially targeting 272 vulnerable districts, it has now expanded across the entire country. (Kashmir Reader)
The Scale of the Problem
The scale of drug abuse in India is far more serious than surface-level campaigns suggest. Around 16 crore people consume alcohol, over 3 crore use cannabis, approximately 1.86 crore use opioids, and nearly 10 crore Indians are affected by narcotic substances in some form. (Kashmir Reader)
Nasha Mukt J&K — A Special Focus
The crisis is particularly acute in Jammu & Kashmir. LG Manoj Sinha has stated that drug trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir is directly linked to terrorism, and expressed serious concern over the increasing number of youth — both boys and girls — falling prey to substance abuse. (Daily Gadyal) As part of the 100-Day "Nasha Mukt JK" campaign, authorities demolished illegal shops built from drug-trade proceeds, aiming to dismantle the financial and physical infrastructure of drug networks. (Organiser Weekly)
Honest Assessment — Gaps Remain
While progress is visible in awareness and enforcement, deeper systemic challenges remain unresolved. Structural reforms are necessary — including expanding rehabilitation services and addressing socio-economic issues such as unemployment and mental health. (Kashmir Reader)
Policy Recommendations — Joint Responsibility of Centre & UT Government
Both the Central Government and the J&K UT Administration must treat the following as urgent, non-negotiable priorities:
1. 🚫 Complete Ban on Alcohol in J&K
The Central Government and the UT Administration must jointly enforce a complete ban on the sale, manufacture, and distribution of alcohol across Jammu & Kashmir. Alcohol is a gateway substance that fuels addiction, domestic violence, and social decay. A dry J&K — similar to the model in states like Gujarat — would significantly reduce substance abuse, protect family structures, and complement the Nasha Mukt campaign at its very roots. This must be backed by strict enforcement, border checks, and legal penalties for smuggling.
2. 🏭 Industrialisation — Bringing Manufacturing to J&K
The Centre must incentivise industries to set up units in J&K through:
Special Industrial Packages — tax exemptions, subsidised land, and power concessions for factories in electronics, food processing, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
Industrial estates in under-developed districts of both Kashmir Valley and Jammu region to absorb unemployed youth.
Fast-tracking ease of doing business reforms specific to J&K to attract private investment.
The UT government must create a single-window clearance system so industries can set up without bureaucratic delays.
3. 🌍 Modernisation of Trade
Open and develop cross-border trade routes where feasible, leveraging J&K's unique geographic position.
Establish modern trade hubs and export zones for Kashmir's world-famous products — saffron, dry fruits, pashmina, walnut wood crafts, and silk.
The Centre should provide e-commerce integration support to small traders and artisans so their products reach national and global markets directly.
Modernise the trade infrastructure and create cold-chain
4. ✈️ Tourism — J&K's Biggest Employment Engine
Tourism is J&K's most powerful natural asset and must be developed on a war footing:
The Centre should fund a dedicated J&K Tourism Development Authority with an independent budget and professional management.
Develop eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and pilgrimage circuits across underexplored areas like Gurez, Doodhpathri, Bhaderwah, and Kishtwar.
Build world-class hospitality training institutes in Srinagar and Jammu to create skilled workers for hotels, restaurants, and travel services.
The UT government must ensure round-the-year tourism by promoting winter sports and cultural festivals, reducing seasonal unemployment.
5. 🎓 Reservation Priority for Kashmiri Muslims and Sikhs
A dedicated "Conflict-Affected Community" sub-category must be created for Kashmiri Muslims and Sikhs — communities that have endured decades of conflict, displacement, and now the drug epidemic:
Priority access in central government jobs, CAPF recruitment, and skill development programmes.
Scholarships specifically for youth from drug-affected families in these communities.
Reserved seats in de-addiction, vocational rehabilitation, and industrial training institutes.
6. 🔄 Rehabilitation — Long-Term Support, Not Short-Term Relief
Authorities are preparing a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to track those who have overcome drug addiction for up to three years and provide sustained support. (Daily Gadyal) This must be strengthened with:
Community halfway homes and peer mentorship networks.
Employment-linked rehabilitation — every person completing a de-addiction programme must be connected to a job or vocational training opportunity.
Conclusion
As LG Sinha shab rightly stated, it requires a people's movement that mobilises the full strength of society to eradicate drugs at their roots — through the rule of law, constitutional values, and the spirit of collective participation. (Kashmirthunder)
But lasting change demands more than rallies and awareness drives. A complete alcohol ban, rapid industrialisation, modernisation of trade, and a booming tourism economy — driven jointly and urgently by the Centre and the UT — are what will truly give J&K's youth a reason to say no to drugs. When people have dignity, work, and hope, addiction loses its grip.
"Nasha Mukt J&K is not just a campaign — it is a civilisational responsibility."
— Dr. Arshad
May 2026
