The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir reviewed the working of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently. Shri Ahir was informed the NCB and other agencies have destroyed illegal crop during the current calendar year as on date a total of 6,512 acres opium (afeem) and 6,565 acres of marijuana (cannabis, or ganja).
Shri Ahir directed the Senior Officers of the NCB to strictly enforce provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and effectively check illegal cultivation of such crops. He said it is the duty of all law enforcement officials and elected representatives right down to the Gram Panch and Sarpanch at the village level to notify any illegal cultivation of the regulated crops.
Shri Ahir directed that action should also be initiated under the NDPS Act against the Forest Department and Land Revenue officials if illegal crop is seized from any farm under the respective official’s area of authority and if the concerned official has shown it as another crop in the records. The Minister also underlined the need for all Government officials to check illegal cultivation of such crops in order to rid the society of the drugs menace.