(a) the details of cases of drug smuggling in the country, State-wise;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to check rising drugs addiction among the youth;
(c) whether the Government is aware of the involvement of terrorists in drug smuggling;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to take concrete steps to check the drug smuggling network and has made any joint efforts with neighbouring countries to check drug trafficking and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs compiles the cases of drug trafficking in the country as reported to it by various agencies. The latest finalized report for the year 2017 is at Annexure.
(b)The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment being the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction has taken the following steps:
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I. A National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025 which aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families. It focuses on preventive education, awareness generation, identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependent persons. It also envisages training and capacity building of the service providers through collaborative efforts of the Central and State Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations.
II. The Ministry also implements a Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since 1985-86. Under this scheme, financial assistance up to 90% of the approved expenditure is given to Voluntary Organizations and other eligible agencies for setting up/running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts. In the case of North Eastern States, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir, the quantum of assistance is 95% of the total admissible expenditure.
III. The Ministry has also issued a detailed advisory on 11.08.2016 to all the states/UTs to plan and devise specific strategies to combat drug abuse.
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(c) & (d) As per available information, no concrete evidence of linkage between drug trafficking and terror activities has come to light.
(e)The measures taken by the Government to prevent drug trafficking include intensive preventive and interdiction efforts along known drug routes and strict surveillance and enforcement at import and export points.
Training programmes are being conducted for various law enforcement officials to combat drug menace.
Amongst border guarding agencies, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Coast Guard have been empowered to take action under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Financial assistance has been provided to eligible States for strengthening their anti-narcotic units.
Narco Co-ordination Centre (NCORD) has been constituted under Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau to provide a common platform for concerted actions by all the Drug law enforcement agencies and other stake holders.
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Joint efforts made with neighbouring countries to check drug trafficking include:
(i) Increased international cooperation for exchange of information and investigative assistance.
(ii) Sharing real time information and coordination operation with Nodal agencies of neighbouring countries.
(iii)India has signed MOUs / Bilateral Agreements on drug related matters with Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China and Afghanistan.
(iv) Agency level talks are held regularly between the nodal Drug Law Enforcement agencies of neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
(v)Field Level Officers (FLO) meetings between Myanmar and India are held periodically to discuss drug related matters.
(vi)Training programmes are being conducted for law enforcement officials from neighbouring countries including Myanmar, for upgrading their skills to combat drug menace, especially on the border.
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