Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 30

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur urged NCC officers to join hands with the state government in checking drug abuse, afforestation programme and making the state polythene-free. Efforts will be made to ensure that there are NCC teachers in all schools and colleges having the NCC wing, he added.Interacting with Additional Director General, NCC directorate of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, Major General RS Maan, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was giving special thrust on expanding and strengthening the NCC activities in the country.He said at present, there were 16 lakh NCC cadets in the country and efforts were being made to increase their number to 19 lakh. He said Himachal had 23,000 NCC cadets.Major General RS Maan apprised him of various activities being undertaken by the NCC in the state. He also urged the Chief Minister for enhancing the budget for the NCC.