Karnataka will have basic FSL labs in every district to fight drug menace: HM Bommai
Bengaluru, Dec 8: Karnataka aims to set up basic Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) in all districts, while upgrading six regional labs in a year's time for speedy disposal of drug related cases, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Tuesday.
Noting that gambling, hookah bars, drug consumption, crime and illegal arms are all interconnected, he said action at the ground level and strong legislations, both are being worked out to control it.
Asserting government's strong commitment against the menace,the minister also said synthetic drugs like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have become more rampant these days, with over 5,000 strips being seized this year alone so far.
"After our government came to power, we have declared a war against drugs, not only ganja but all kinds of narcotic substances have been seized from across the state and cases have been booked and charge sheets filed," Bommai said.
Listing the number of cases booked under NDPS act since 2017, in response to a question during the question hour in the legislative assembly, he said, till November 30 this year 3,852 cases have been booked.
Out of these, charge sheets have been filled in 2,285 cases and among them in 233 cases punishment has been fixed, while remaining are under investigation.
The minister was responding to a question by Congress MLA Eshwar Khandre on delay in getting FSL reports with respect to drug cases and leading to delay in filing charge sheets.
Conceding there is a "bottleneck" on getting timely reports from FSL in drug related cases, Bommai said FSL lab has been modernised by using advanced technology to address this and more than 51 samples can be tested at a time, and a dedicated section for narcotics has been set up.
In the days to come, more and more cases will be investigated and charge sheets filed, he said.
Region FSL labs other than Bengaluru like Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi will be upgraded in six months for quick delivery of reports in drug related cases.
"As a second phase by setting aside money in the upcoming budget, our aim is to have a basic lab in all districts and experts lab at regional level, we will set them up in a year's time," he added.
Responding to a question on recreation clubs in border districts engaging in drug related activities and gambling, Bommai said it has come to the government's notice and "we are taking merciless action against them."
"There is no compromise, there has been enough pressure from all angles and from all kinds of people, but we have not and will not budge to it," he said.
Instructions have already been given to bring in necessary amendments to Karnataka Police act to make gambling a punishable offence,he said.
The minister said the NDPS Act is a central act by Parliament and any amendments to it have to be done there.
But states have the right to frame rules while implementing the Act, as there are some lacuna in current rules restricting investigating officers, he claimed.
"We are getting it removed for encouraging swift action, seizure and raids, and rules will be changed very soon."
Department officials have also discussed with the National Law School to bring in a comprehensive law against drugs, to recommend to the centre or to the state, he said, adding that a strong law will be brought against drugs soon.
Replying to issues raised by Congress MLA Prasad Abbayya, Bommai said, French polish, whitener and certain adhesives are being misused by some,and action taken.
"We will take stricter measures on this."
To a question by BJP MLA Nagendra, he said, the government has also been taking action against hookah bars by conducting raids, as he sought cooperation by local corporations while giving license.
The minister said, foreigners like some Nigerian nationals involved in drug related activities have been booked under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act under which there is stringent compulsory jail. Many have even been extradited.
More than ganja, synthetic drugs like LSD these days are more rampant as they come in small strips of 1-1.5mm costing about Rs 2,500, he said.
This year 5,049 strips were seized while last year it was 155 and the previous years 200 or 100 strips, Bommai noted.
Rave parties used to be fashion, but due to swift action and raids, it has created a fear and realization about criminal activities that goes on there, he said, as he promised Khandre to take necessary action against some forest officials growing ganja in Bidar, following the MLA's complaint.
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TN polls: DMK promises Rs 8,000 'Illatharasi' coupon scheme for women
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday released his party's manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, and announced providing the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods.
He promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".
He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.
"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.
'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.
Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."
"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.
Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.
Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.
The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.
About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.
Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.
The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.
Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.
In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."
"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said
The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.
Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.
The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.
