Gujarat Government helpline number for drug complaints

Harsh Sanghvi assures strict action against illegal activities; Govt to increase focus on high-tech policing, women’s safety.

The Gujarat government is launching a helpline for drug-related complaints, aimed at enabling citizens to report illegal activities anonymously. This initiative, part of the Home Department’s budget, will be directly monitored at the Chief Minister’s level to ensure swift responses. Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi highlighted that, over the past three years, 2,564 individuals, including 105 foreign nationals, were arrested, and drugs worth Rs 8,547 crore were seized. The helpline is expected to expedite the authorities’ ability to tackle drug-related crimes effectively.

The Home Department’s budget has increased by 22%, reaching Rs 2,281 crore compared to the previous year. A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to modernizing policing under the SHIELD project. This includes the establishment of an integrated command and control system, emergency response services (112), and enhanced cybercrime defenses. Additionally, a Rs 100 crore Olympic-grade training facility will be developed at the Gujarat Police Academy in Gandhinagar to improve police capabilities. Plans for smart police stations in Dholera and Sanand will further bolster law enforcement. Furthermore, the VISWAS Project will deploy 12,000 CCTV cameras across 2,347 locations in the state to strengthen surveillance and security measures.

In terms of women’s safety, Gujarat has reported 1,044 convictions under the POCSO Act in the past three years, including 640 life sentences and 11 death penalties. Authorities have filed charge sheets in 5,967 cases within 45 days, with 110 cases resolved in under 15 days.

However, Congress leader Amit Chavda raised concerns about corruption within the police force, alleging that some officers were involved in land grabs. He criticized the free flow of liquor across the state, particularly from Banaskantha and Sabarkantha, accusing the police of turning a blind eye for financial gain. Chavda also questioned the effectiveness of border scanners intended to combat liquor smuggling, stating that the problem persists despite prior assurances. He further raised alarms about the increasing drug trafficking in Gujarat, noting national data indicating that 65% of India’s seized drugs, worth Rs 7,350 crore, pass through Gujarat’s ports.

AM.