UP Chief Secretary SP Goyal Mandates Monthly NCORD Meetings to Combat Drug Menace
In a decisive move to tackle the growing threat of narcotics, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary SP Goyal on Monday emphasized the urgent need to curb trafficking, consumption, and sale of illegal drugs. He called for more effective drug-free awareness campaigns across the state to protect communities from this scourge.
Stringent Measures and Monthly Reviews
While chairing a meeting of the state-level committee of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), Goyal mandated that at least two NCORD meetings must be held every month in all districts. He stressed that stringent legal action should be ensured against individuals involved in the consumption, buying, or selling of illegal narcotic substances. This directive aims to enhance coordination and accountability among law enforcement and administrative bodies.
During these monthly meetings, officials will be required to review several critical aspects, including arrests of accused under the PIT NDPS Act, property seizure of those involved in drug crimes, and physical verification of crops from licenced opium cultivators. Additionally, they must assess the functioning of de-addiction centres operated by the social welfare department and monitor the progress of work under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Focus on Monitoring and Awareness
Goyal highlighted the importance of monitoring the sale of ganja at bhang shops by the excise department and reviewing awareness programmes run in schools by the education department. He proposed a review of licenced bhang shops, suggesting that their numbers should be limited according to regional requirements to prevent misuse.
"An online system should be developed for monitoring the supply and sale of codeine-based cough syrup, and physical verification of stock storage locations must be ensured," Goyal stated. He added that special attention must be paid to hotspots or potential hotspots, such as schools and hostels, to prevent drug infiltration among youth.
Significant Seizures and Enforcement Actions
Inspector General of Police, ANTF, Abdul Hameed, provided detailed statistics on the state's efforts. In 2025, 846 district-level seminars were organized under NCORD, with 144 conducted up to February 2026. From 2022 to February 2026, authorities disposed of 2,71,802 kg of seized narcotic material, with an estimated value of approximately Rs 925 crore.
Enforcement actions have been robust, with around 840 cases registered up to February 2026, leading to the arrest of 1,176 persons and the recovery of 6,229.78 kg of illegal narcotic substances. Similarly, in 2026 alone, the ANTF registered 56 cases, arrested 107 accused, and recovered 2,827.50 kg of illegal narcotics worth Rs 53.98 crore. Awareness campaigns are also being actively carried out to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.
This comprehensive approach underscores Uttar Pradesh's commitment to creating a drug-free environment through coordinated efforts, strict enforcement, and widespread awareness initiatives.
