Stop Welfare Benefits to Repeat Drug Traffickers: Haryana NCB

Move comes four days after CM Saini directed officials to draft a plan barring family members of repeat offenders, gangsters from availing benefits

- Pawan Sharma

CHANDIGARH: Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) on Saturday urged the state government to withdraw all welfare scheme benefits from 860 identified habitual drug traffickers who are facing three or more cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the past 10 years.

This recommendation, sent to the chief secretary on Saturday, is part of a multi-pronged strategy against drug menace currently being implemented by the bureau in coordination with the Haryana Police. Of the 860 identified traffickers, about 720 are out of jail at present.

According to the HSNCB, the proposed action will not only strengthen the state's fight against drug abuse but also send a strong message of accountability and zero tolerance.

The proposed move comes just four days after chief minister Nayab Singh Saini directed officials to draft a plan barring the family members of repeat offenders, gangsters involved in murder, and other heinous crimes, and those booked under the POCSO Act from availing government benefits.

Expressing concern over the recurring nature of such crimes on May 20 in a meeting on law and order, the chief minister stressed the need for stringent measures to deter offenders.