Lok Sabha Question No. 3803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-17
Subject: Re-organisation of NCORD
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3803

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 TH  MARCH, 2020/PHALGUNA 27, 1941 (SAKA) RE-ORGANISATION OF NCORD

3803. SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  meetings  held  by  the  Apex  committee  and  the  Executive committee at the Central level after the re-organization of NCORD in July, 2019;
- (b) the details of instructions/guidelines issued by these committees to stop/curb the smuggling of drugs;
- (c)  whether  there  is  any  improvement  in  the  results  after  the  re-organisation  of NCORD; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) Since  the  re-organisation  of  NCORD  in  July  2019,  one  Apex  Committee meeting was held at the Central level on 19.11.2019 at New Delhi. No Executive Committee meeting has been held at the Central level.
- (b) The following guidelines/instructions were issued in the wake of  the 1 st  Apex Committee meeting held on 19.11.2019 at New Delhi, important among which are, as follows:
- 1) All  enforcement  agencies  were  requested  to  make  use  of  the  Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) mechanism created under the chairmanship of DG, NCB for coordination on operational matters of

## LS.US.Q.NO.3803 FOR 17.03.2020

specific large seizure cases, which have connections with crimes and international ramifications.

- 2) The  States  were  advised  to  make  use  of  web-based  online  platform Seizure  Information  Management System (SIMS) and to create login id and  passwords  immediately  so  as  to  enable  sharing  of  seizure  data with  INCB  (International  Narcotics  Control  Board)  and  for  the  World Drug Report.
- 3) The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and State Drug Controllers urged  to  fix  limits  for  Codeine  Based  Cough  Syrups  (CBCS)  for  both wholesalers  and  retailers  in  all  States  to  bring  effective  control  and uniformity across the nation.
- 4) The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) and State Drug  Controllers  advised  to  conduct  sensitization  workshops  for  all drug  law  enforcement  authorities  regarding  licensed  drugs  meant  for palliative  care  and  pain  management  not  to  be  treated  as  regular narcotic drug.
- 5) Suitable  proposal  alongwith  evidence  and  case  studies  sought  from Additional Director General, Punjab Special Task Force seeking reduction of the Commercial  Quantity classification of  Heroin from the present  250  grams  to  25  grams  considering  the  fact  that  more  than 30%  of  drug  cases  booked  in  Punjab  are  of  Intermediate  Quantity enabling early release on bail for most drug traffickers.

## LS.US.Q.NO.3803 FOR 17.03.2020

- 6) All stakeholders were requested to provide comments to Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance regarding analog/class-wise scheduling of drugs to address the emerging threat of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) since India was still following substance-wise scheduling which was  not  suited  to  keep  pace  with  the  rapid  growth  in  the  market  of NPS.
- 7) To  check  diversion  and  trafficking  of  Codeine  Based  Cough  Syrup,  it was  suggested  that  States  may  consider  local  measures  like,  fixing bottle-limits for wholesalers and retailers.
- 8) All stakeholders were requested to explore the possibility of reduction of  present  area  under  licit  cultivation  of  Opium,  in  consultation  with States (UP, MP & Rajasthan), with a target of total elimination by 2023.

(c) & (d) Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) aims at redesigning the governance architecture for a more effective regulation and enforcement regime. This  has  facilitated  greater  coordination  and  synergy  amongst  all  drug  law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders. It has provided a common platform for  Narcotics  Drugs  and  Psychotropic  Substances  (NDPS)  related  matters  which has helped in resolving policy issues and operational functioning.

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