(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?
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 1st 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
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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.
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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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