Lok Sabha Question No. 436 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: National Institute of Social Defence
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Ricky Andrew J Syngkon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.436 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL DEFENCE

*436. DR. RICKY ANDREW J SYNGKON:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government proposes to establish a National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) in Shillong Parliamentary Constituency, Meghalaya to address critical societal challenges such as the country's highest percentage of female-headed households (41% as per NFHS), the alarming rise in drug addiction and the prevalence of early marriage etc.;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the alternate steps taken by the Government to tackle these pressing issues in Meghalaya, particularly those impacting women, youth and families;
- (c) whether the Ministry plans to formulate a region-specific action plan under the proposed institute to provide tailored programmes for women's empowerment, youth rehabilitation and social welfare in Meghalaya; and
- (d) whether in view of growing drug addiction crisis in the region, the Ministry proposes to prioritize collaboration with local NGOs, community leaders and educational institutions to implement preventive and rehabilitative strategies effectively and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## Statement referred in reply to part (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 436 for answer on 01.04.2025 regarding "National Institute of Social Defence"

(a) to (c) There is no such proposal under consideration for setting up National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) in Meghalaya. Steps taken by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) for drug demand reduction in the country including Meghalaya is at Annexure-l.

(d) DoSJE is implementing National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally sponsored scheme under which financial assistance is provided to States for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction and NGOs/VOs for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), Community based peer Led intervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents, Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) and District DeAddiction Centres (DDACs).

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) is being implemented in all districts of the country including all the districts of Meghalaya. NMBA has reached out to the community and spread awareness about substance use with focus on higher educational Institutions, university campuses, schools, students, youth & women. Under the State Action Plan, various activities such as Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, treatment and rehabilitation, research etc. are taken up with the involvement of various stakeholders such as districts, educational and other institutes, community, students, youth and women etc.

*****

## Annexure referred in reply to part (a) & (c) in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 436 to be answered on 01.04.2025

The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Department for drug demand reduction in the country including Meghalaya. To tackle the issue of substance use, the Department is implementing National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally sponsored scheme under which financial assistance is provided to:

- i. State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction by States/UTs etc.
- ii. NGOs/VOs for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), Community based peer Led intervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents, Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) and District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs); and
- iii. Government Hospitals for Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
2. The following activities have been undertaken under NAPDDR scheme:
- i. Currently 350 IRCAs, 46 CPLIs, 74 ODICs, 124 DDACs and 142 ATFs in Government Hospitals are being financially supported by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. All of these facilities have been geo-tagged for ease of access to those in need. Out of these, 01 IRCA, 01 ODIC, 01 DDAC and 01 ATF are located in Meghalaya.
- ii. State specific State Action Plan (SAP) is formulated by the State for undertaking various drug demand reduction activities in the region and funds are released by the Department under SAP under the scheme of NAPDDR.
- ili. A Toll-free Helpline for de-addiction, '14446' is being maintained by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for providing primary counseling and immediate referral services to the persons seeking help through this helpline. More than 4.18 lakh calls have been received so far on the helpline number. Out of these, more than 11 thousand calls have been received from Meghalaya.
- iv. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15" August 2020 by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 272 identified districts and now it has been extended to all districts across the country. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use with focus on higher educational Institutions, university campuses, schools, students, youth & women.
- v. Till now, through the various activities undertaken on-ground under NMBA, 15.44+ crore people have been sensitized on substance use including 5.17+ crore Youth and 3.27+ crore Women. Participation of 4.18+ lakh educational institutions has ensured that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of the country. In Meghalaya, more than 15.32 lakh people have been sensitized including more than 28 thousand youth, 12+ thousand women and with participation of more than 2 thousand educational institutions.

='

vi. MoUs have been signed with Spiritual organizations like The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission and All World Gayatri Pariwar to support NMBA and conduct mass awareness activities.

vii. Awareness is also being spread through official Social Media accounts of the Abhiyaan on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

vili. NMBA Website (http://nmba.dosje.gov.in) provides detailed information to the user/viewer about the Abhiyaan, an online discussion forum, NMBA dashboard, e-pledge.

ix. A Mass Pledge/ Oath on NMBA was conducted on 12th August, 2024 and online across the country and a total of about 3+ crore people from 2+ lakh institutions participated in the nationwide pledge.

x. The Ministry has developed Navchetna Modules (A New Consciousness on Life Skills and Drug Education for School Children) - teacher training modules. The Navchetna module aim to increase awareness and education on life skills and drugs among students in schools in India. In the state of Meghalaya, in first phase of NAVCHETNA module, 13 Master Trainers have been trained from 04 districts for providing training to Teachers in second phase of the module.

xi. Ministry through its autonomous body National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and other collaborating agencies like SCERTs, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan etc. provides for regular awareness generation and sensitization sessions for all stakeholders including students, teachers, parents etc. During the current year (FY 2024- 25), 05 programs have been conducted by NISD for various target groups in State of Meghalaya. 2298 people have participated in these programs.

*****