Face2News/Chandigarh/New Delhi

Union Government has taken various measures to combat the drug crisis in Punjab. This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.. 

To monitor the investigation of important and significant seizures, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) under the chairmanship of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up by Government of India.

The Advisory Board on Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) matters has been constituted in the State of Punjab which will not only help Punjab Police with their cases but Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) will also be recommending PITNDPS case before the Advisory Board.

A task force on Darknet and Crypto-Currency has been set up under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) mechanism with a focus on monitoring all platforms facilitating Narco-trafficking, sharing of inputs on drug trafficking amongst Agencies/MAC members, interception of drug networks, continuous capturing of trends, modus operandi & nodes with regular database updates and review of related rules & laws.

Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.

Intelligence Sharing and Controlled Delivery (CD) Operations within India and with foreign countries are being carried out regularly.

(vi) A dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been constituted in the State of Punjab where Special Director General of Police (DGP) is acting as ANTF Chief in the state.

Government has approved one new Regional Office of Narcotics Control Bureau and upgraded the Sub-Zonal Unit of Amritsar to Zonal Unit. Both the Regional Office and Zonal Unit at Amritsar are currently fully operational.

Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.

(i) A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stake holders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India has been established. An all in one NCORD portal has been developed for information related to drug law enforcement.

(ii) To monitor the investigation of significant and important drug cases including cases of narco-terrorism, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) with Director General, NCB as its Chairman has been set up by Govt. of India.

(iii) A dedicated Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level Police Officer has been established in each State/ Union Territory to function as the NCORD Secretariat for the State/ Union Territory and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.

(iv) National Investigation Agency has been empowered under NDPS Act, 1985 in the year 2020 for investigation of narco-terrorism cases.

(v) To keep check at the land and borders, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and Assam Rifles have been empowered under the Narcotics Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act for making interdiction of narcotic drugs in remotest and far furlong areas of the country.

(vi) In view of the Inter-state movement of narcotics across the country by railway network, the RPF has also been empowered under NDPS Act, 1985 for search, seizure and arrest.

(vii) A high level dedicated group viz; Multi Agency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG) has been created in National Security of Council Secretariat (NSCS) to analyse the drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions.

(viii) NCB in association with Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) has created a portal called National Integrated Database About Arrested NDPS Offenders (NIDAAN).

(ix) Towards the capacity building of drug law enforcement agencies of the country, NCB is continuously imparting training to the officers of other drug law enforcement agencies.

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E) in association with National Drug Dependence and Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) conducted a survey in 2019 viz; “Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India-2019” to know the extent of drug abuse in India. As per the report, the details of estimated number of drug users in the State of Punjab were as under: