Punjab drug crisis: AAP MP raises concern in Rajya Sabha, Centre responds

Rajya Sabha MP and AAP leader Raghav Chadha on Wednesday expressed concerns over the growing drug menace in Punjab and asked the government to explain its approach to combat the crisis. During the ongoing winter session, the AAP MP questioned the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on measures to address the rise in drug-related deaths.
In response, the Minister of State (MoS) Nityanand Rai presented a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling the root causes of drug abuse, enhancing law enforcement, and improving coordination between state and central agencies.
The government has announced the establishment of 16 new Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) offices in Punjab, aimed at strengthening enforcement in regions vulnerable to drug trafficking. As part of this plan, the NCB’s Amritsar Sub-Zonal Unit will be upgraded to a full Zonal Unit, enhancing the agency’s operations in the state.
An Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) led by Punjab’s Special Director General of Police will collaborate with the NCB and other law enforcement agencies to track and dismantle drug cartels.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also outlined a series of measures to curb the flow of illegal narcotics into Punjab. A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), led by the NCB Director General, will oversee major drug seizures and trafficking investigations. Additionally, a task force specialising in the dark net and cryptocurrency transactions has been established to monitor online platforms used for drug distribution.
Enhanced powers have been granted to the Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985. These agencies are now authorised to conduct searches, seize contraband, and arrest suspects along the country’s borders and railway network.
To enhance coordination between central and state agencies, a four-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) has also been set up. This platform facilitates information sharing and a unified approach to enforcement. The government has also introduced the NCORD portal, a centralised system for tracking drug-related cases.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been designated as the lead body for investigating narco-terrorism cases under the NDPS Act, reflecting the growing link between drug trafficking and terrorism.
Efforts are underway to assess the impact of drug abuse on Punjab’s youth, with plans for an in-depth evaluation of the border state’s drug problem. The government has also planned to implement additional prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
Maritime security has been addressed with the formation of the Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG) under the National Security Council Secretariat. This group will focus on analysing drug trafficking via sea routes.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 report, Punjab recorded the highest number of drug overdose deaths in the country, with 144 cases.