Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sought assistance of Rs 600 crore from the Centre.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sought financial assistance of Rs 600 crore from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to deal with the growing drug problem. This amount has been sought to set up special NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) courts in the state and speedy disposal of pending cases.

Impact of drug problem in Punjab

Chief Minister Mann said that the drug problem in Punjab has badly affected the social and economic balance.

• Increasing Crime: Due to drug addiction, incidents of crime and domestic violence are increasing.
• Health crisis: Serious health problems are also emerging due to addiction.
• Economic burden: Drug addiction has adversely affected the development and stability of the state.

Need for special NDPS courts

The Chief Minister said that 35,000 drug related cases were pending in Punjab till January 1, 2025.

• Slow pace of judicial process: At the current rate a sessions court takes an average of seven years to complete a case.
• Future projections: The pendency of cases may increase to 55,000 in the next five years, taking the average disposal period to 11 years.

How will Rs 600 crore be used?

• 79 special NDPS courts: Chief Minister sought financial assistance from the Center for setting up 79 new courts.
• 79 Public Prosecutors: It is proposed to recruit support staff and public prosecutors for these courts.
• 10 year plan: The state has sought assistance for 10 years at the rate of Rs 60 crore per year.

Proposal to establish Anti-Drug Task Force (ANTF)

CM Mann has planned to constitute Anti-Drug Task Force (ANTF) to curb drug trafficking.

Other requests made by the Chief Minister to the Center:

1. Grant from National Drug Control Fund: To strengthen ANTF.
2. Monitoring of border districts:
   • Assistance to set up surveillance system in six border districts.
   • Purchase of technical equipment.
3. Prison Reforms:
   • Development of infrastructure to install 5G jamming equipment in prisons.

Action figures in the last two and a half years

• 31,500 cases registered: Under NDPS Act.
• Seized material:
  • 3,000 kg heroin.
  • 2,600 kilograms of opium.
  • Pharmaceutical drugs worth Rs 4.3 crore.
• 43,000 accused arrested.