Shimla, June 18 -- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected Panchayat Pradhans and Up-Pradhans of Kangra district and extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

According to a release, he also administered a collective pledge to the gathering to make Himachal Pradesh free from Chitta and to strengthen the mass movement against drug abuse.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony at Dari ground in Dharamshala, the Chief Minister said that Panchayats were the strongest pillar of Indian democracy and played a pivotal role in realising Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Gr...