Bhubaneswar: In light of the significant toll that illegal drugs and narcotics have taken on lives and finances, Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India).

During a virtual meeting with Excise Officers across all districts, the Minister highlighted the dangers posed to the youth, who are jeopardizing their futures by succumbing to drug addiction. He urged the Excise Department and the citizens of the state to unite in tackling this issue.

To align with the Chief Minister and the Odisha Government’s commitment to eliminate illegal drug trafficking, a large-scale operation similar to the previous two years will be implemented, he stated. He also noted that the police and district administration would be involved where necessary.

With the festive season nearing, which often sees an uptick in illegal drug-related activities, the Minister announced that a focused crackdown campaign is scheduled from October 10 to 31, based on intelligence reports.

Harichandan instructed all District Excise Officers to gather robust evidence to ensure that offenders receive severe penalties from the courts and urged them to resist any external pressures during their operations. He advocated for a zero-tolerance stance towards repeat offenders. The Minister also expressed gratitude to all officers for achieving a 95% MGEL this year.

Excise Commissioner P. Anvesha Reddy provided a district-wise overview of the raids, seizures, vehicle confiscations, arrests, and various departmental initiatives through a PowerPoint presentation. Additional Excise Commissioner Rudra Narayan Mohanty, along with Zonal Officers and senior departmental officials, participated in the meeting.