**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a query regarding central assistance for establishing Fast Track Courts in Kerala for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases. The query, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3684, was addressed on August 12, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai.
The State of Kerala has requested central assistance for funding the establishment of Fast Track Courts to address the high pendency of NDPS cases. This request has been received by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and is currently under consideration.
While direct funding for Fast Track Courts is not provided under the Ministry of Home Affairs' "Assistance to States/UTs for Narcotic Control" scheme, the Central Government has established the National Fund for Controlled Drug Abuse (NFCDA) under Section 7A of the NDPS Act, 1985. This fund, established via Notification dated 29.05.1989, can provide financial assistance to State Governments, Central Government entities, or other institutions for activities such as combating illicit drug traffic, controlling drug abuse, addict rehabilitation, and public education against drug abuse, contingent upon adherence to NFCDA rules and guidelines and approval from the competent authority.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Adoor Prakash: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
State of Kerala: A state in India that requested central assistance for Fast Track Courts.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act: Indian legislation that regulates narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Nityanand Rai: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance: A department of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
National Fund for Controlled Drug Abuse: A fund established under Section 7A of the NDPS Act, 1985 for combating drug abuse.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3684
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)
FUNDING TO FAST TRACK COURTS
3684. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has received a request from the State of
Kerala towards central assistance for funding the establishing of Fast
Track Courts for the trial of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
(NDPS) Act cases in the State;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the decision taken, considering the high
pendency of NDPS cases in the State;
(c) whether the Government will provide funds for establishing the Fast
Track Courts; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) & (b) A request from the State of Kerala towards central assistance
for funding the establishing of Fast Track Courts for the trial of Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases in the State has
been received in Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance and the
matter is under consideration at their end.-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3684 FOR 12.08.2025
(c) & (d) The Central Government has constituted National Fund for
Controlled Drug Abuse (NFCDA), under Section 7A of NDPS Act, 1985 vide
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance Notification dated
29.05.1989, which provides for utilising the fund for combating illicit
traffic in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or controlled
substances; controlling the abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances; identifying, treating and rehabilitating addicts; preventing
drug abuse and educating public against drug abuse. If State Government/
Central Government/ any other institutions seek financial assistance as
per NFCDA rules and guidelines, the fund is sanctioned to the applicant
with the approval of competent authority. Ministry of Home Affairs through
Narcotics Control Bureau also implements a scheme “Assistance to
States/ UTs for Narcotic Control”, however, as per scheme guidelines,
there is no provision for assistance for setting up Fast Track Courts for
NDPS cases.
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