New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah launched the National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) during the 7th Apex Level Meeting of Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) at Vigyan Bhawan here on Thursday.
MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) will have a toll-free number 1933, a web portal, a mobile App and Umang App to help citizens connect with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) round-the-clock with anonymity to share information on drug peddling/trafficking or consult on issues like drug abuse, de-addiction and rehabilitation.
The Home Minister also virtually inaugurated the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Office at Srinagar and released NCB’s Annual Report 2023 and Compendium on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.
Address the meeting, Shah said the fight against drugs is being carried out in a very serious manner. The real fight has begun as “we are at a crucial juncture” in this campaign now.
He urged every citizen of India below the age of 35 to pledge to fight this menace and those above 35 does to guide them if India is to win this battle.
The Home Minister said several other initiatives have been taken under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign to reach every unit of the states and districts. Urging states to spend a part of their budget on narcotics forensics, Shah said the Centre will soon provide kits for primary testing of narcotics at a cheaper rate, which will make filing of cases much easier.
The new zonal office at Srinagar – the 30th in India besides 7 regional offices — will focus towards curbing drug-trafficking through the northwestern border of India.
