Lok Sabha Question No. 1343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Narcotics Trade
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Sajda Ahmed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1343

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025/ MAGHA 22, 1946 (SAKA)

NARCOTICS TRADE

1343. SMT. SAJDA AHMED:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  measures taken by the Government to address the issue of illicit narcotics trade and its impact on youth;

(b)  the  details  of  the  policy  of  the  Government  to  improve  cooperation between local police and anti-narcotics efforts;

(c) whether any designated, confidential platform where citizens can report narcotics-related issues without disclosed identity and redressal procedure of the Government;

- (d)  whether  any  public  awareness  and  community  engagement  being promoted to combat the narcotics problem effectively; and

(e) whether the Government proposes policy to engage public representatives particularly MPs to coordinate with the NCB for effective measures  to  curb  illegal  drug  peddling  and  trading  to  their  respective district level?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b) Government has taken various measures to address the issue of illicit narcotics trade and to improve cooperation between local police and anti-narcotics efforts. Some of which are: -

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1343 FOR 11.02.2025

- (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 important and significant seizures, a Joint  Coordination  Committee  (JCC)  under  the  Chairmanship  of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up.
- (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 and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.
- (iv)  Government  has  empowered  National  Investigation  Agency  under NDPS Act, 1985 in the year 2020 for investigation of narco-terrorism cases.

- (v)  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.
- (vi)  The Indian Coast Guard has been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs &  Psychotropic  Substances  Act,  1985  for  making  interdiction  of narcotic drugs in Coastal and high seas.
- (vii)   A high level dedicated group has been created in National Security of Council Secretariat (NSCS)  to analyze drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions (Maritime Security GroupNSCS).
- (viii) Narcotics Control Bureau in association with Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) has created a portal called National Integrated Database About Arrested NDPS Offenders (NIDAAN).

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1343 FOR 11.02.2025

- (ix) Towards the capacity building of drug law enforcement agencies of the  country,  Narcotics  Control  Bureau  is  continuously  imparting training to the officers of other drug law enforcement agencies.
- (c) A  National  Narcotics  Helpline  'Madak-Padarth  Nished  Asoochana Kendra'  (MANAS)  has  been  created  as  a  24x7,  toll-free  number  -  1933 National Narcotics Call Centre. Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as  an  integrated  system  providing  a  single  platform  for  citizens  to  log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/ problems through various mode of communications like call, SMS, Chat-bot, email & web-link. It has also  been  integrated  with  Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and  Empowerment (MoSJE) Helpline No.-14446. It has features like 24x7 calls via Toll-free Number,  Web-Portal,  email,  and  Mobile  App  under  UMANG.  All  the information provided by the citizens on MANAS  Helpline is kept confidential. In addition to this ANTF of States have been integrated with MANAS for better coordination.

(d) & (e)  Government  has  formulated  and  implemented  the  National Action  Plan  for  Drug  Demand   Reduction  (NAPDDR)  under  which   the

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1343 FOR 11.02.2025

Government is taking a sustained and coordinated action for arresting the problem of substance abuse among the youth across the country. This includes:

- (i) Launching of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in 272 identified most vulnerable districts, later on extended to all districts of the country. So far NMBA has reached out to more than 14.07 crore people including 4.90 crore youth and 2.93 crore women.
- (ii)  350 Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), 46 Community based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 74 Outreach and  Drop  in  Centers  (ODICs),  124  District  De-addiction  Centres (DDACs) and 125 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are supported by the Government.
- (iii)  A Toll-free Helpline No. -14446 for de-addiction is being maintained by the  Government  for  providing  primary  counseling  and  immediate assistance to persons seeking help.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1343 FOR 11.02.2025

- (iv)  Memorandum of Understanding (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.
- (v)  Awareness is also being spread through official Social Media accounts of the Abhiyaan on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
- (vi)  A mass pledge/oath on NMBA was conducted on 12th August, 2024 and a total of about 3+ crore people from 2+ lakh institutions participated in the nationwide pledge.
- (vii) National/Regional Conferences under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister are being held from time to time with the Hon'ble Governors/ Lieutenant  Governors  and  Chief  Ministers  of  States/UTs,  wherein effective measures to curb illegal drug peddling and trading to their respective district level are discussed.

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