Puducherry CM Rangasamy meets NCB's DDG to strengthen anti-narcotics drive
Synopsis
Puducherry's CM sat down with the NCB's top southern official to tighten the NCORD grip on the Union Territory — a meeting that reflects a nationwide recalibration of India's anti-drug strategy, backed by seizure numbers that dwarf the previous decade and a Home Minister demanding conviction rates, not just case counts.
Key Takeaways
Rangasamy met NCB Southern Region DDG R.
Sudhakar on 29 May 2025 to intensify anti-narcotics operations.
Discussions covered strengthening the NCORD mechanism and launching targeted drug-awareness programmes for students.
Home Minister Amit Shah has directed a ruthless approach against drug suppliers and a humane, rehabilitation-first approach for users.
Drug seizures rose from ₹40,000 crore (26 lakh kg) during 2004–2013 to ₹1.71 lakh crore (1 crore 11 lakh kg) during 2014–2025.
Opium crop destruction scaled from 10,770 acres in 2020 to 40,000 acres by November 2025.
Shah called for greater use of Forensic Science Laboratories and timely charge sheets to boost conviction rates.
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Friday, 29 May held discussions with R. Sudhakar, Deputy Director-General (DDG) of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Southern Region, to intensify the anti-narcotics drive across the Union Territory and expand awareness programmes targeting students.
What Was Discussed
The meeting centred on strengthening the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism in Puducherry, stepping up enforcement operations, and rolling out targeted drug-awareness campaigns in schools and colleges. The NCB confirmed the meeting on X, stating that discussions covered 'strengthening NCORD mechanism, intensifying anti-narcotics drive and implementing targeted awareness programmes for students across the Union Territory.'
Centre's Policy on Drug Control
The meeting comes against the backdrop of a sharper federal push on narcotics enforcement. Home Minister Amit Shah, while chairing a recent NCORD meeting, laid out a three-pronged approach: a ruthless strategy to break the drug supply chain, a strategic approach for demand reduction, and a humane approach for harm reduction. Shah drew a clear distinction — no leniency for manufacturers and traffickers, but rehabilitation-first for users. 'What matters is not the number of meetings held, but the review of outcomes and the assessment of impact,' he said.
Enforcement Numbers Under the Modi Government
Shah cited a significant jump in seizures to illustrate the scale of the crackdown. Between 2004 and 2013, drugs worth ₹40,000 crore — amounting to 26 lakh kg — were seized nationally. From 2014 to 2025, that figure rose to drugs worth ₹1.71 lakh crore, amounting to 1 crore 11 lakh kg. Shah also noted an 11-fold increase in the quantity of drugs disposed of, and said that opium crops on 40,000 acres of land had been destroyed by November 2025, up from 10,770 acres in 2020.
Adapting to New Drug Networks
Shah flagged a shift in criminal tactics, noting that drug distribution and payment models have evolved with new technology. 'Criminals are adopting new innovations; therefore, we too must update and adapt our strategies from time to time,' he said. He specifically called for greater use of Forensic Science Laboratory resources and timely filing of charge sheets to improve conviction rates, while directing enforcement focus toward kingpins, financiers, and logistics routes of the drug trade.
What Comes Next for Puducherry
The Puducherry administration is expected to operationalise the NCORD framework more actively following the CM-DDG meeting. Student-focused awareness programmes are likely to be among the first visible outcomes, with enforcement coordination between state police and the NCB set to be tightened. The Union Territory's proximity to Tamil Nadu — a state with documented drug-trafficking corridors — makes the drive particularly significant.
Point of View
But the numbers Shah cited at the NCORD review deserve scrutiny: a four-fold jump in seizure volumes is striking, yet conviction rates — the metric Shah himself flagged — remain the real indicator of whether enforcement translates into deterrence. Puducherry's geography, sandwiched between Tamil Nadu's trafficking corridors, makes NCORD coordination essential rather than optional. The harder question is whether awareness campaigns in schools, repeatedly announced across states, are being evaluated for impact or simply counted as activity.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was discussed in the Puducherry CM's meeting with the NCB official?
Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and NCB Southern Region DDG R. Sudhakar discussed strengthening the NCORD mechanism, intensifying anti-narcotics enforcement, and rolling out targeted drug-awareness programmes for students across the Union Territory. The meeting was confirmed by the NCB on X.
What is the NCORD mechanism?
The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) is a multi-agency framework set up by the Centre to coordinate anti-narcotics efforts across central and state agencies. It brings together the NCB, state police, customs, and other enforcement bodies to share intelligence and synchronise action against drug trafficking.
How has India's drug seizure record changed since 2014?
According to Home Minister Amit Shah, drug seizures between 2014 and 2025 totalled ₹1.71 lakh crore in value and 1 crore 11 lakh kg in quantity — compared to ₹40,000 crore and 26 lakh kg during 2004 to 2013. The government also reported an 11-fold increase in drugs disposed of.
What is the Centre's policy on drug users versus drug traffickers?
Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that the government's clear policy is zero leniency for those who manufacture and sell drugs, while adopting a humane, rehabilitation-oriented approach for individuals who have begun using drugs. This distinction was articulated at a recent NCORD meeting.
Why is Puducherry's anti-narcotics drive significant?
Puducherry is a Union Territory bordering Tamil Nadu, a state with documented drug-trafficking routes. Strengthening NCORD coordination and enforcement in the UT is seen as critical to preventing spillover from larger trafficking networks operating in the region.
