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9.5 Lakh Narco-Offenders on Central Database to Boost India's Drug Fight

The Indian government has made data on 9.5 lakh arrested and convicted narco-offenders available on the centralised NIDAAN portal to strengthen enforcement. Minister Nityanand Rai stated the database helps agencies oppose bail, monitor habitual offenders, and support legal actions under the PITNDPS Act. Financial assistance and a Rs 420 crore scheme are being provided to modernise forensic labs and bolster state-level narcotics control. Enhanced coordination through the NCORD mechanism has led to thousands of meetings at state and district levels to combat drug trafficking.

Key Points: 9.5 Lakh Narco-Offenders on National Database: Nityanand Rai

  • 9.5 lakh offender records on NIDAAN portal
  • Aids in bail opposition & monitoring
  • Rs 420 crore for forensic lab modernisation
  • NCORD mechanism improves coordination
  • Over 12,700 district-level meetings held
2 min read

9.50 lakh data of narco-offenders on portal boosting enforcement: Nityanand Rai

NIDAAN portal holds 9.5 lakh records of NDPS offenders to aid enforcement, bail opposition, and inter-agency coordination in India's drug war.

"NIDAAN facilitates and assists investigating agencies in opposing bail, seeking cancellation of bail, monitoring habitual offenders - Nityanand Rai"

New Delhi, Feb 10

As many as 9.50 lakh searchable data of arrested and convicted persons under the NDPS Act are available on the centralised digital database, National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders, for strengthening enforcement action, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, in a written reply, said that NIDAAN, developed by the NCB in collaboration with the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), integrates data of offenders arrested by all Drug Law Enforcement Agencies across the country, including information such as identity details, photographs, fingerprints, case particulars and court-related information.

He said NIDAAN facilitates and assists investigating agencies in opposing bail, seeking cancellation of bail, monitoring habitual offenders, and supports the preparation of proposals under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, thereby strengthening coordinated and proactive enforcement action.

Sharing details of the country's fight against drug trafficking networks, he said the government has approved a scheme for Modernisation of Forensic Capacities under which Rs 420 crore has been approved for the component of Modernisation/ Upgradation of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) in States/ Union Territories.

He said under the scheme "Assistance to States & UTs for Narcotics Control", financial assistance is being provided to eligible States for strengthening enforcement capabilities for combating illicit trafficking in NDPS substances.

Rai also highlighted that the government has strengthened inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination through the Narco-Coordination (NCORD) mechanism that provides a structured, institutionalised platform for coordination among Central Ministries, State Governments and enforcement agencies for monitoring drug trafficking, precursor diversion, demand reduction and rehabilitation, resulting in improved enforcement outcomes and intelligence-sharing.

So far, nine Apex NCORD meetings and six Executive NCORD meetings have been held to guide policy formulation, enhance inter-ministerial coordination and review the overall narcotics control framework, he said.

At the operational level, 253 State NCORD meetings and 12,471 District NCORD meetings have been conducted across the country, the Union Minister added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good to see data and tech being used. But 9.5 lakh offenders is a shocking number itself. Shows how deep the problem is. We need equal focus on rehabilitation and demand reduction in schools and colleges. Can't just keep arresting.
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Rahul R
The financial assistance to states is key. Many state police forces lack basic resources to fight sophisticated drug networks. Modernising FSLs with ₹420 cr will help get forensic evidence faster, which is often delayed in courts.
A
Anjali F
While the database is a powerful tool, we must ensure it doesn't lead to profiling or harassment of innocent youth, especially in certain regions. The system needs strong data protection and oversight. The intent is good, execution must be fair.
S
Sarah B
Impressive scale of coordination – over 12,000 district-level meetings! This shows a grassroots approach. Hope the data sharing is real-time so an arrest in Punjab is immediately known to police in Goa or Kerala.
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Karthik V
The focus should be on the big fish, the traffickers and cartels, not just small-time users. The database should help connect dots to find the kingpins. Also, need to stop smuggling at borders which is the main source.

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