Home Minister Amit Shah to chair 7th apex level meeting of Narco-Coordination Center on July 18

New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 7th apex level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) on July 18 here in the national capital.
The Home Minister will also launch the National Narcotics Helpline 'MANAS' (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra), inaugurate the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Office at Srinagar, and release the NCB 'Annual Report 2023' and Compendium on 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' on the occasion.
The NCORD meeting is aimed to co-ordinate and synergize the efforts of various central and state government agencies involved in countering drug trafficking and abuse in India.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MHA said the Central government has adopted a 'Zero Tolerance Policy' against drug trafficking to curb the menace of drugs.
The MHA will achieve PM Modi's goal of a drug-free India by 2047 through a three-point strategy-- strengthening of institutional structure, coordination among all narco agencies and extensive public awareness campaign.
As part of this strategy, a number of steps have been taken which include organizing NCORD meetings of all stakeholders at all levels of the four-tier system on a regular basis, launch of a dedicated centralized NCORD portal for sharing of activities and best practices, formation of a Joint Coordination Committee for coordination on operational matters of specific large cases, which have connections with other crimes and international ramifications.
Establishment of a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in each state and Union Territories, high priority to Drug Disposal drive, launch of NIDAAN portal for Narco offenders, creation of canine squads for drug detection, strengthening the forensic capabilities, establishment of Special NDPS Courts and Fast Track Courts and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) for generating Awareness against drug Abuse are among the steps taken by the Central government.

The NCORD mechanism was formed in 2016 for better coordination between states and the MHA. It has been further strengthened through a four-tier system in 2019. It has an apex level NCORD committee, which is headed by the Union Home Secretary, Executive Level NCORD Committee, which is headed by a Special Secretary (MHA), state level NCORD Committees, headed by chief secretaries and district level NCORD committees - headed by district magistrates. (ANI)