Assistance To States

The Government of India has introduced a scheme, namely Assistance to States, whereby financial assistance is given for augmenting the drug law enforcement capabilities of the states. Assistance is provided for surveillance equipment, laboratory equipment, computers and their accessories, fax machines, photocopiers and other enforcement equipment.

The grant under the 'Assistance to States' scheme is subject to establishment of institutional mechanisms at the state level. States have been advised to put in place the following committees/task forces:

1) Formation of an Apex Level Committee under the Chief Secretary and including representatives of enforcement (police, excise, forest, etc.) and demand reduction (social welfare, education, agriculture, rural development, etc.) agencies/departments to draw up and monitor a Plan of Action to reduce the supply of drugs as well as their demand.

2) Setting up of an Anti Narcotics Force under an IG level officer for dedicated enforcement efforts.

3) A Five Year Action Plan of the concerned State Government, elucidating its anti narcotic operational planning.

So far, a number of states have set up such mechanisms. These include Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, U.P., J&K, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, Mizoram, Kerala, Tripura, Gujarat, Punjab, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Haryana.

The remaining states have been advised to set up such institutional mechanisms and to draw up focused drug related strategies.