NCORD meetings should be outcome-based and result-oriented: Amit Shah

Shri Amit Shah noted that achieving Prime Minister Modi’s vision of India leading in every field by 2047 hinges on protecting the younger generation from drugs.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired the 7th Apex Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, today. During the event, Home Minister Amit Shah 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 Amit Shah released the NCB ‘Annual Report 2023’ and a Compendium on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the fight against drugs has advanced significantly, turning into a national campaign. He stressed the importance of involving every citizen under 35 in this battle and having those above 35 guide them, underscoring that this collective effort is essential for victory.

Shri Amit Shah noted that achieving Prime Minister Modi’s vision of India leading in every field by 2047 hinges on protecting the younger generation from drugs. He highlighted the government's comprehensive approach over the past five years, focusing on structural, institutional, and informational reforms. Notably, from 2004 to 2023, 152,000 kg of drugs worth Rs 5,933 crore were seized, a figure that rose dramatically to 543,000 kg worth over Rs 22,000 crore between 2014 and 2024 due to the Modi Government’s efforts.

The Home Minister pointed out the devastating impact of drugs on future generations and the emergence of narco-terrorism as a significant threat to national security. He urged all agencies, especially state police, to target not only drug users but also the entire drug trade network using thorough ‘Top to Bottom’ and ‘Bottom to Top’ investigations. He praised Gujarat’s successful implementation of this approach in major drug cases and called for a similar strategy nationwide.

Shri Amit Shah also stressed the importance of district-level NCORDs in this fight, advocating for outcome-based and result-oriented meetings. He called for a shift from a ‘Need to Know’ to a ‘Duty to Share’ approach among agencies, emphasizing the need for a ruthless stance on drug supply, strategic demand reduction, and humane harm reduction.

The Home Minister highlighted the launch of the MANAS portal, which includes 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 help for drug-related issues. He also mentioned the development of the MAPDRUGS portal and mobile app in collaboration with BISAG-N to curb illicit cultivation through accurate GIS information.

The new NCB Zonal Office in Srinagar will focus on combating drug trafficking along India’s northwestern border, contributing to NCB’s network of 30 zonal offices and 7 regional offices. The NCB Annual Report-2023 documents the efforts and accomplishments in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, including data on recent seizures and actions under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Senior Central Government functionaries, including the Union Home Secretary, Revenue Secretary, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E), Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and Director General of NCB, attended the meeting. Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police, and Anti-Narcotics Task Force Heads of all states and union territories participated virtually. Representatives from NCB, DRI, ED, BSF, SSB, CRPF, CISF, RPF, the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and MoSJ&E were also present.