New Delhi: Tightening the noose against smugglers trading in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the central government is planning to transfer power under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 to home ministry from finance ministry, one of aware persons in finance ministry said it.
However, presently, Narcotic Control Bureau is being administered by ministry of home affairs (MHA) and administrative matters under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) and Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 is being looked after by finance ministry.
Narcotic Control Bureau is a central law enforcement and intelligence agency that is tasked with eradicating drugs abuse, trafficing and use of illegal substances in the society under NDPS, Act.
As per provision, NDPS, Act stops a person production, manufacturing, cultivation, sale, purchase, storage, transportation and consumption of narcotic drugs while Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 provisions for detention in certain cases if a person is found to be involved in trafficing of narcotice drugs and psychotropic substances.
As per sources, this transfer of power is being deliberated under the provision of Government of India (Business Alloction) Rule.1961. According to this rule Department of Revenue looking after international convention, agreement and protocol meaning all most all matters but Narcotic Control Bureau is with home ministry. Due to this contradiction deliberation is being processed for transfer. Meanwhile, when this correspondent tried to contact Jt. Secretary, Finance Ministry, Ritwik Pandey, he was not available for comment.
