Maha needs collective effort to be drug‑free: CM Fadnavis
Mumbai, July 16
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday called for a collective public movement to build a strong, drug‑free Maharashtra.
At a high‑level review meeting, he directed authorities to uproot the illicit economy surrounding natural and synthetic drug manufacturing, supply, and trade. He announced that awareness about the adverse effects of drug abuse will be integrated into the school curriculum for classes 7 to 10.
Fadnavis said the focus will be on curriculum integration, campus policies, de‑addiction networks, healthcare, legal measures, and incentives. School principals and college directors must declare campuses as drug‑free zones.
He noted that a robust network of de‑addiction centres will be established in coordination with NGOs, the Medical Education Department, the Public Health Department, and the Anti‑Narcotics Cell.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been directed to set up multidisciplinary centres in Mumbai, while government hospitals will reserve beds for de‑addiction treatment.
Special fast‑track courts will be set up to ensure speedy trials under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Prosecutors will undergo specialised training to secure higher conviction rates.
Police have been instructed to track down peddlers, map supply networks, and intensify patrols in high‑risk zones.
A reward scheme will be launched for citizens who provide confidential information that leads to drug busts. Police officers who demonstrate exemplary performance will receive a 3 per cent salary advance and special awards.
Investigating officers will be allowed air travel under operational requirements.
According to the government, in 2025, the Maharashtra Police registered 17,611 cases and seized 56,206 kg of narcotics worth Rs 1,340 crore. A total of 15,994 accused were arrested, including 72 foreign nationals.
Earlier, during the Monsoon Session, Fadnavis announced zero‑tolerance measures against drug syndicates. Police personnel found involved in drug crimes will be dismissed from service.
He personally reviews narcotics cases daily and has directed anti‑narcotics squads to be set up in every police station.
The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, has been amended to classify large‑scale drug trafficking as organised crime, making bail difficult and enabling property seizure.
The government also proposed stricter laws against adults using minors as couriers and initiated SOPs to deport foreign nationals running drug rings.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The reward scheme for informants is a good move, but I worry about misuse. Innocent people could get falsely implicated for personal grudges. Also, the 3% salary advance for police officers seems like a hasty incentive—shouldn't they be doing their duty anyway? 😕
Great to see MCOCA being amended to tackle drug trafficking as organized crime. Those running these networks need to feel the heat. But 17,611 cases and only 15,994 arrested? The conviction rate better improve with these fast-track courts. Otherwise it's just statistics.
The part about using minors as couriers is heartbreaking 💔 Kids are being exploited by these syndicates. I'm glad the government is proposing stricter laws for that. Hope they also focus on rehabilitating these children instead of just punishing them.
All these measures sound good on paper, but ground implementation is key. I've seen how drug peddlers operate near colleges—they're brazen. Unless police patrols actually increase in those areas, this is just a press release. Also, what about the role of parents and society? 🤔
Kudos to CM Fadnavis for personally reviewing cases daily! 🙌 That level of attention is rare. But I hope the de-addiction centres don't just become another bureaucratic dead end. They need proper medical staff, not just token beds reserved in government hospitals.
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