Joint committee set up to check drug smuggling: Govt

Concerned over rise in cases of drug addiction in some states along international borders, the government today said a joint committee comprising four central ministries has been constituted for curbing the menace of drug smuggling into India.

"The menace is quit prevalent in the states bordering Pakistan. There the number of people getting addicted to drugs is on a rise. Similar is the case in the northeastern states, particularly Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur, which are located along the international borders," Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said.

A joint committee comprising four ministries, including Home Affairs, Health and Finance, has been constituted and it has formulated a policy and is working towards curbing the menace of smuggling drugs into the country, he told reporters here after addressing a meet here on the occasion of the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said measures were also afoot to prevent smuggling of drugs through the air route.
"Our ministry had held three meetings with the Punjab Chief Minister for opening the new de-addiction centres for rehabilitating people from drug abuse in the state," he said.

Gehlot also said that an advanced survey on drug abuse in Punjab and Manipur has been completed and its results would be made available soon.

Earlier, UNODC Representative for South Asia Cristina Albertin read out the message of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2015.

"We must address the nexus between illicit drugs and violence, corruption and terrorism. A balanced approach recognizes the close connections between those who traffic in drugs and criminal networks involved in firearms smuggling, kidnapping, human trafficking and other crimes," the message said.

Union Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla and Krishan Pal Gurjar and ministry officials also spoke on the occasion.