New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired the 7th Apex Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) at Vigyan Bhawan today. During the event, he launched the National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) and virtually inaugurated the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Office in Srinagar. Additionally, Shri Shah released the NCB’s ‘Annual Report 2023’ and a compendium on the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ campaign.
In his address, Amit Shah emphasized the critical nature of the fight against drugs under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted the need for a nationwide effort, involving every citizen and especially the younger generation, to combat the drug menace effectively.
“Prime Minister Modi has set a target to make India first in every field by 2047, achievable only by keeping our younger generation away from the scourge of drugs,” said Shah. He underscored the significance of a concerted approach to make Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a drug-free India a reality.
Amit Shah highlighted the government’s achievements in the past five years, noting the substantial increase in drug seizures and the dismantling of drug networks. From 2004 to 2023, authorities seized 152,000 kg of drugs worth Rs 5,933 crore, while from 2014 to 2024, this figure rose to 543,000 kg worth over Rs 22,000 crore.
The Home Minister stressed the devastating impact of drugs on future generations and the emergence of narco-terrorism as a serious threat to national security. He urged all agencies, especially state police, to target not only drug users but also those involved in the drug trade, advocating for a comprehensive approach to dismantling drug networks.
Shah called for a strategic focus on synthetic drugs, emphasizing the need for state agencies to collaborate with the NCB to curb this growing menace. He outlined the importance of robust measures to prevent drugs from entering the country and to dismantle economic networks that facilitate the drug trade.
The Home Minister highlighted the successful implementation of the NCORD mechanism since 2014, emphasizing the need for district-level NCORD units to be proactive in setting and achieving targets. He urged agencies to adopt a ‘Duty to Share’ information approach and called for increased use of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act.
The MANAS portal, launched today, provides a toll-free number (1933), a web portal, a mobile app, and integration with the Umang app, allowing citizens to anonymously report drug trafficking and seek assistance related to drug abuse and rehabilitation.
Shah also introduced the “MAPDRUGS” web portal and mobile app, developed in collaboration with BISAG-N, to combat illicit drug cultivation using accurate GIS information.
Senior officials from central and state governments, heads of anti-narcotics agencies, and other key stakeholders attended the meeting. The event underscored the government’s commitment to a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to eradicating drug abuse and trafficking in India.
The new NCB Zonal Office in Srinagar will focus on curbing drug trafficking through India’s northwestern border, contributing to the national effort to combat the drug menace. The 2023 Annual Report of the NCB provides detailed insights into recent trends in drug trafficking, significant seizures, and the latest initiatives under various legislative frameworks.
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