(a) whether according to U.S. Drug Administrative Annual Report, Indian opium is diverted to illicit market;
(b) if so, the facts in this regard; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
(a) whether according to U.S. Drug Administrative Annual Report, Indian opium is diverted to illicit market;
(b) if so, the facts in this regard; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI V.DHANAJAYA KUMAR)
(a) According to International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for 2000 of the US Government there has been some diversion of Indian Opium to the illicit market.
(b) As per reports received from various Central & State Drug Law enforcement agencies for the year 1999-2000, the seizure of Opium sought to be diverted was 1.6 MT as against the total procurement of about 1000 MT of Opium during the crop year 1999. As per the INCSR, the US Government believes that India has taken exceptional steps to control diversion, and that these steps have held diversion down to levels which are not excessive.
(c) Steps taken by the Government of India to prevent the diversion of Opium to illicit channels include forewarning to cultivators to tender certain minimum yield to become eligible for Opium license in the following year; periodic increase in procurement price of Opium; intensification of preventive efforts by various enforcement agencies in/ around Opium cultivation area; and provision of stringent punishment under the NDPS Act 1985.