K M Dayashankar
MANAS will have a toll-free number 1933, a web portal, a mobile app and UMANG app so that citizens of the country can anonymously connect with NCB 24×7 for seeking advice on de-addiction and rehabilitation, sharing information on drug trafficking
Prime Minister Modi has set a target to make India first in every field by 2047, which is possible only by keeping the younger generation away from the scourge of drugs
NEW DELHI, JULY 18, 2024: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired 7th Apex Level Meeting of Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on Thursday. On this occasion, Home Minister launched National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) and virtually inaugurated Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Office at Srinagar. Shri Amit Shah also released NCB ‘Annual Report 2023’ and Compendium on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.
In his address during the meeting, Mr Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the fight against drugs is being carried out in a very serious manner and we have been successful in taking it forward as a campaign. He said that the real fight has begun now because now we are at a crucial juncture in this fight. Shri Shah said that unless every citizen of the country below the age of 35 does not pledge to fight this battle and every citizen above the age of 35 does not pledge to guide them, we cannot win this battle. He added that even the governments cannot win this battle, rather there should be an approach to take this battle to the 130-crore people of the country.
Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Modi has set a target to make India first in every field by 2047, which is possible only by keeping the younger generation away from the scourge of drugs. He said that this fight against drugs is very important and it needs to be fought with seriousness and priority. He said that if we do not give top priority to this fight, we will not be able to win it. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a drug-free India is a huge challenge and a resolution. He said that we have now become aware and at this critical juncture if we fight together bravely, then we can win this fight.
Mr Amit Shah said that in the last 5 years, the Modi Government has tried to fight this battle on the basis of ‘Whole of Government Approach’ and on the three pillars – Structural, Institutional and Informational Reforms. He said that from the year 2004 to 2023, one lakh 52 thousand kg of drugs worth Rs 5,933 crore were seized, while in the ten years from 2014 to 2024, this quantity increased to 5,43,000 kg, which is worth more than Rs 22,000 crore. Shri Shah said that due to the efforts of the Modi Government, many drug networks have been successfully dismantled.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the biggest disadvantage of drugs is that it destroys our future generations and the addicts make their entire family suffer from extreme despair and inferiority complex. He said that a new danger has emerged now that this entire business is getting linked with narco terror and the money coming from drugs is emerging as the most serious threat to the security of the country. Shri Shah said due to the drug trade, other channels of economic transactions meant to weaken our economy have also been strengthened. Many such organizations have been formed which are getting involved not only in drug trade but also in illegal hawala dealings and tax evasion. He said that drug smuggling has now become a multi-layered crime which we need to deal with robustly and stringently.
