maurya 
Launch of India’s First Toll-Free Helpline for Narcotics Issues: MANAS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to launch India’s first toll-free national helpline for narcotics-related issues, named MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra) or the Narcotics Prohibition Intelligence Centre. The helpline will be launched on July 18 during the seventh meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD). It will feature a specific phone number (1933) and an email address (info.ncbmanas@gov.in) to enable safe and easy reporting of drug-related activities.
Objectives and Functioning of MANAS
MANAS is a comprehensive service to combat drug trafficking and related crimes, allowing people to report such crimes through a website (ncbmanas.gov.in) and other methods. The focus is on illegal drug dealing, selling, buying, storing, manufacturing, and cultivating drugs. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) will verify the information provided by reporters and take necessary action as required by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Integration and Impact
This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive for a “zero tolerance” stance on drug abuse, aiming for a drug-free India by 2047. It involves improving institutional frameworks, facilitating collaboration among drug agencies, and conducting large-scale public awareness programs. The MANAS helpline represents a significant advancement in communication and operational efficiency in the fight against drugs.
Strengthening the Anti-Narcotics Framework
The launch of the MANAS helpline coincides with the opening of the NCB’s new zonal office in Srinagar and the NCB’s annual report for 2023. These efforts are part of the ongoing initiatives to enhance anti-drug operations nationwide. The NCORD system, established in 2016 and improved in 2019, is crucial in fostering collaboration at the national, state, and district levels, further bolstered by special task teams and drug disposal drives.
About Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD)
NCORD, established in 2021 in Maharashtra, aids in coordinating efforts among law enforcement agencies to combat drug crimes. It leverages digital platforms to facilitate information sharing and coordinated actions among the Narcotics Control Bureau, police, and customs. This initiative underscores the Indian government’s proactive stance in addressing the worsening drug problem, guided by the government’s “war on drugs” directive.
Conclusion
The launch of the MANAS helpline is a significant step towards a drug-free India, providing citizens with a reliable platform to report drug-related activities. This initiative, alongside the new NCB zonal office and the 2023 annual report, marks a strengthened commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse. India is poised to make substantial progress in its fight against narcotics through enhanced coordination, public awareness, and rigorous enforcement.
