**Executive Summary**
The document addresses a parliamentary question regarding the increase in drug abuse and trafficking in the Sriganganagar-Hanumangarh Parliamentary Constituency of Rajasthan, with a due date of February 10th, 2026. It outlines the Government's awareness, actions taken, and measures being considered to address the issue. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs provides a detailed response.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Drug Abuse and Trafficking in Rajasthan:**
* The government acknowledges the rise in drug abuse among youth in the specified constituency, including cross-border trafficking and misuse of banned drugs.
* Details of pharmaceutical related Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases, quantity seized and persons arrested as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) during the period from 2023 to 2025 in the State of Rajasthan are provided.
* The Home Department, Government of Rajasthan has reported cases registered, number of arrests in connection with misuse of banned drugs (pharmaceuticals) for the period 2023 to 2025.
* **Government Actions and Regulations:**
* Regulatory control over the sale and distribution of drugs is exercised through licensing and inspection by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs).
* SLAs can take action against violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules 1945.
* Schedule H drugs must be sold only on prescription, while Schedule H1 drugs are subject to stricter controls and labeling requirements.
* The government has taken steps to prevent drug trafficking and reduce demand, including:
* Constituting a 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism.
* Establishing Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in all States/UTs.
* Setting up a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) at the Centre and State level.
* Empowering Border Guarding Forces under the NDPS Act 1985.
* The Rajasthan Police is implementing "Operation Seema Sankalp" in Sriganganagar.
* **Demand Reduction Measures:**
* NCB has initiated Mission SPANDAN and signed MoUs with spiritual organizations for awareness and collective action.
* Rallies and dramas are conducted regularly with NGOs for awareness.
* SMS alerts of Drug Awareness are flashed through mobile service providers on special occasions.
* MANAS- A 24x7 toll-free helpline (1933) has been established.
* The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) across the country.
* Anti-Narcotics Force Posts have been established in both districts, Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh.
* The Drug Control Department has established a registered portal for 641 medical stores to prevent misuse of narcotic drugs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Citizens of Sriganganagar-Hanumangarh Parliamentary Constituency, especially youth**
**Impact:**
* Increased awareness of drug abuse and related issues.
* Potential access to de-addiction and rehabilitation services.
* Greater protection from drug trafficking and illegal sales.
**Action Required:**
* Utilize available resources like the MANAS helpline and awareness programs.
* Report drug-related issues and support community initiatives.
**Stakeholder: State Licensing Authorities (SLAs)**
**Impact:**
* Increased responsibility for monitoring and enforcing drug regulations.
* Empowered to take action against violations of drug laws.
**Action Required:**
* Ensure strict licensing and inspection of medical stores.
* Enforce prescription requirements and labeling provisions for Schedule H and H1 drugs.
**Stakeholder: Law Enforcement Agencies (NCB, ANTF, Border Guarding Forces, Rajasthan Police)**
**Impact:**
* Increased focus on curbing drug trafficking and abuse in the specified region.
* Empowered to conduct searches, seizures, and arrests related to drug offenses.
**Action Required:**
* Coordinate efforts to implement the NCORD mechanism and other government initiatives.
* Conduct joint operations to control drug trafficking.
**Stakeholder: NGOs and Voluntary Organizations**
**Impact:**
* Opportunity to participate in awareness programs and rehabilitation efforts.
* Potential for receiving financial assistance for running Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) and other interventions.
**Action Required:**
* Conduct awareness rallies and dramas.
* Run and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs).
**Stakeholder: State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations**
**Impact:**
* Opportunity to receive financial assistance for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction
**Action Required:**
* Provide financial assistance to States/ UTs and NGOs/Voluntary Organisations.
Key Entities Referenced
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985: Empowers Border Guarding Forces to search, seize, and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): Coordinates with other agencies to conduct joint operations to control drug trafficking and initiated Mission SPANDAN.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules 1945: Regulatory provisions related to licensing and inspection of sale and distribution of drugs are enforced through this Act and related Rules.
State Licensing Authorities (SLAs): Appointed by State Government to take action in case of violation of regulatory provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules 1945.
Rajasthan: State where drug abuse is increasing in Sriganganagar-Hanumangarh Parliamentary Constituency, and where measures are taken to address it.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1623
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026/ MAGHA 21, 1947 (SAKA)
DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING
†1623. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the rapidly increasing problem of drug
abuse among the youth in the Sriganganagar-Hanumangarh Parliamentary
Constituency of Rajasthan along with cross-border drug trafficking, the
misuse of restricted or banned drugs such as Pregabalin (Lyrica), Gabapentin,
Clonazepam, Alprazolam (Janax), Etizolam, Diazepam and Tramadol as
intoxicants is rising sharply;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any data available in this regard;
(d) the steps taken by the Government so far to address the easy availability
of these drugs, ensure stringent control over medical stores, prevent illegal
sales, maintain strict surveillance, conduct special operations in border
areas and implement awareness programmes for the youth; and
(e) whether the Government is considering to launch any integrated action
plan or a special campaign to eradicate this problem in the said Parliamentary
Constituency to curb this menace and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) to (c) The details of pharmaceutical related Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases, quantity seized and persons arrested
as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) by various Drug Law
-2-L.S.US.Q.NO. 1623 FOR 10.02.2026
Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) during the period from 2023 to 2025 in the
State of Rajasthan is as under:
Year Total Seizure (In Kg) Total Cases Total Arrests
2023 249 367 437
2024 1,252 330 393
2025 187 268 339
Source: NCB
Home Department, Government of Rajasthan has reported cases registered,
number of arrests in connection with misuse of banned drugs
(pharmaceuticals) for the period 2023 to 2025 as under: -
District Year Number of Number of Details of seized
cases arrests narcotics
registered
Sriganganagar 2023 16 16 14146 tablets/
capsules
2024 118 144 237231 tablets/
capsules
2025 136 161 708465 tablets/
capsules
Hanumangarh 2023 10 24 18840 Tramadol,
7200 Alprazolam
2024 11 16 8518 Tramadol,
1160 Pregabalin,
1310 Alprazolam
2025 42 62 17717 Tramadol,
274655
Pregabalin-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 1623 FOR 10.02.2026
(d) & (e) Regulatory control over the sale and distribution of drugs is
exercised through a system of licensing and inspection by State Licensing
Authorities (SLAs) appointed by State Government. SLAs are empowered to
take action in case of violation of regulatory provisions of Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules 1945. The drugs listed under Schedule H drugs
are required to be sold only on prescription and Schedule H1 drugs are subject
to stricter regulatory controls, including enhanced prescription requirements,
mandatory record maintenance, and special labeling provisions, to prevent
misuse and mitigate public health risk. Further, for Schedule H drug, the label
shall bear the warning: “To be sold by retail on the prescription of a
Registered Medical Practitioner only.” And, for Schedule H1 drug, the label
shall carry a red box warning: “Schedule H1 drug – Warning: It is dangerous
to take this preparation except in accordance with medical advice. Not to be
sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.”
Isolated complaints are received from time to time on the sale of prescription
drugs without prescription and the same are forwarded to the State Licensing
Authorities (SLAs) concerned for appropriate action. Various
notices/Advisories/Letters have been issued to all State Drugs Controllers,
other stakeholders for strict compliance of the requirements of Drugs and
Cosmetics Act and Rules made thereunder and for raising awareness in the
public regarding adverse effects of misuse of drugs.
-4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 1623 FOR 10.02.2026The Government has taken various steps to prevent drug trafficking and drug
demand reduction in the country including State of Rajasthan, some of which
are as under: -
(i) Constituted a 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism
which enables coordination among Central and State agencies.
(ii) Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been established in all
States/UTs, which also serves as NCORD secretariats for local
enforcement.
(iii) Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has been set up at the Centre and
State level to oversee significant drug seizure investigations.
(iv) Border Guarding Forces have been empowered under the Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 to carry out search,
seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international
border.
(v) Narcotics Control Bureau coordinates with other agencies like, Navy,
Coast Guard, Border Security Force, State ANTF etc. to conduct joint
operations to control the drug trafficking.
(vi) Institutionalizing drone based capabilities for aerial surveillance/
reccee/ search/ domination etc. across the border.
(vii) Intelligence Sharing and Controlled Delivery (CD) Operations with
foreign countries are being carried out regularly.
-5-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 1623 FOR 10.02.2026(viii) To reduce demand, NCB has initiated Mission SPANDAN & Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) have been signed with 05 spiritual organisations to
tackle drug abuse & addiction to Psychotropic substance through awareness
& collective action.
(ix) Rallies and Dramas are conducted regularly in association with NGOs
to spread awareness programmes all over the country.
(x) SMS alerts of Drug Awareness are flashed through mobile service
providers on special occasions.
(xi) Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra (MANAS)- A 24x7 toll-free
helpline (1933) has been established to report drug-related issues via calls,
SMS, chatbot, email, or web.
(xii) Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally
sponsored scheme all over the country including State of Rajasthan under
which financial assistance is provided to: (i) State Governments/ Union
Territory Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness
Generation, Capacity Building Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction by
States/ UTs etc. (ii) NGOs/ Voluntary Organisations for running and
maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs),
Community based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention
among Adolescents, Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) and
-6-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 1623 FOR 10.02.2026District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) and (iii) Government Hospitals for
Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
(xiii) In compliance with the direction of Director General, Rajasthan, Jaipur,
Anti-Narcotics Force Posts have been established in both districts
Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh to prevent narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances.
(xiv) The Rajasthan Police is implementing “Operation Seema Sankalp” in
Sriganganagar to curb drug trafficking through continuous awareness
activities such as WhatsApp campaigns, seminars, rallies, banners, wall
paintings and drug-free pledges. Alongside this, under the District
Administration’s “Drug-Free Sriganganagar” campaign, de-addiction centres
are operated and awareness programs etc. are conducted. Additionally, the
Drug Control Department has established a registered portal for 641 medical
stores to prevent misuse of narcotic drugs. The District Administration of
Hanumangarh is also running a “Drug-free Hanumangarh” on similar lines.
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