Maharashtra government has now approved the formation of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in the state. On Thursday, August 31, the Maharashtra Home Department issued a government resolution (GR) stating that a special inspector-general (IG) rank officer will head the ANTF, while being guided by the state’s director-general of police (DGP) and the chief of Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The task force would be expected to probe complex narcotics offences across the state, raise awareness, help in rehabilitation of addicts, and take measures to prevent trafficking and distribution of illegal narcotics, while coordinating with the Centre. The task force will work for all its jurisdiction across the state except Mumbai as there is an anti-narcotics cell (ANC) to probe narcotics cases.
It is pertinent to note that this development came after many cases of drug smuggling and busting cases have grabbed headlines recently.
The GR further mentioned that the ANTF would investigate criminal cases, classified or assigned by the Supreme Court or the High Court, government, DGP. The Maharashtra ANTF would also act as the state Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), and monitor follow-up of the implementation of decisions taken at different levels of NCORD.
The performance evaluation report of the special IGP, ANTF Maharashtra, would also be reported to the additional DGP, CID, reads the GR. The DGP will review the performance and the additional chief secretary (Home) would remain the approved officer, and the performance evaluation reports of other officers and employees would be done as per the prevailing procedure, it added.
In December 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed the state governments to create dedicated ANTFs under their respective DGPs to fight the menace of drugs for a “drug-free India”.
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