Chandigarh, August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Bhagwant Mann government on Independence Day felicitated members of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Ward Defence Committees (WDCs) for their contribution to Punjab’s anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, as the state launched a fortnight-long review exercise from August 16 to 31.
The initiative will culminate in a state-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on August 31. The government has also decided that activities related to ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ will remain a key part of celebrations marking national days and other significant government occasions across Punjab.
The decision was taken at a state-level function chaired by Mann on August 2, with the objective of integrating the anti-drug campaign across different levels of government.
As part of the Independence Day programme, outstanding VDC and WDC members were recognised for their work at the grassroots level. Deputy Commissioners honoured Assembly Coordinators and Vice Assembly Coordinators at the district level, while Sub-Divisional Magistrates felicitated Block Coordinators at the sub-division level.
At the village level, special programmes were organised at schools and panchayats, where sarpanches and community members acknowledged VDC members for their efforts towards creating a drug-free Punjab.
Deputy Commissioners in all 23 districts were directed to identify deserving VDC and WDC members for their contribution and active participation in the campaign.
The felicitation drive forms part of a broader plan prepared by the Office of the State Nodal Officer for the Anti-Drug Campaign. The plan seeks to convert community-level feedback into regular administrative and police reviews.
From August 16 to 25, VDC meetings will be held in every village to review complaints related to drug trafficking, assess action taken by police and the administration on previous complaints, track pending cases and submit fresh feedback.
The review process will subsequently move to the district level. From August 26 to 29, Cabinet ministers will chair district-level meetings involving administrative and police officials, Health Department representatives and district, Assembly and block-level coordinators. These meetings will assess village-level feedback and decide further action.
The process will conclude with the August 31 state-level review chaired by Chief Minister Mann, where district-wise progress will be assessed and the next phase of the campaign planned.
The government said the initiative is aimed at turning ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ into a sustained, people-led movement against drugs, with community participation complementing enforcement measures.
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