23 June,2026 05:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrives on the second day of the state Assembly monsoon session, at Vidhan Bhavan. PIC/X
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the state government has stepped up its fight against drugs and is taking strict action against anyone found involved in narcotics-related crimes, including police personnel during the second day of the Maharashtra Monsoon Assembly Session at Vidhan Bhavan, reported PTI.
Replying to a discussion during Question Hour in the state legislative assembly, Fadnavis said, "Police officials found linked to drug-related crimes have been dismissed, not just suspended," the chief minister told the House.
Fadnavis said one of the country's biggest alleged drug masterminds, Salim Dola, has been arrested and brought back to India after a Red Corner Notice was issued against him.
According to information gathered by authorities, Dola had established MD drug manufacturing units in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. He is believed to have produced and sold nearly 4,000 kilograms of the synthetic drug through his network.
"Most of the network has now been dismantled, and this is a major success in the fight against drugs," Fadnavis said, reported PTI.
The chief minister informed the House that seven anti-drug units are currently functioning in the state. These units will be gradually decentralised and expanded to strengthen action at the local level.
He also announced that special anti-narcotics squads will be set up in every police station, with efforts underway to deploy capable officers in these teams.
To encourage officers working against drug trafficking, the government is considering introducing incentives similar to those provided in anti-corruption and anti-Naxal operations.
"The best officers will have to fight this battle and we are creating a system of incentives to encourage them," he said, reported the news agency.
Fadnavis said the government will launch a large-scale awareness campaign covering around 3,000 schools and colleges across Maharashtra. The initiative aims to educate students about the dangers of drug abuse and help them understand ways to overcome addiction, reported the news agency.
He added that he personally reviews narcotics-related matters every day to monitor the state's anti-drug efforts.
The government is also working on a mechanism to reward informants who provide information about drug-related activities while ensuring their identities remain protected, as per the news agency.
On concerns about the glorification of drugs in films, Fadnavis said existing legal provisions allow authorities to take action and complaints can be filed in cases of violations.
The chief minister said the public health and social justice departments have been directed to establish de-addiction centres in every district to help people recover from substance abuse.
He also informed the House that the Centre has started the process of amending the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Maharashtra has already submitted its suggestions to the Union government regarding the proposed changes, reported the news agency.
With stricter enforcement, expanded anti-drug units, awareness campaigns and rehabilitation measures, the state government aims to strengthen its fight against the growing drug menace.
(With PTI Inputs)
