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New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Delhi administration invokes BNSS to impose CCTV installation, chemists to seek HC for relaxation
NEW DELHI: A month after advising pharmacies to install CCTV cameras inside shops to check the sale of addictive drugs, the Delhi administration has made the measure mandatory. The order warns that non-compliance will invite legal action under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The directive followed a resolution of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), South District, in its meeting on July 29, where the Drugs Control Department had advised pharmacies to install CCTV cameras, stating that surveillance was necessary to curb the sale of medicines with dual use without valid prescriptions. Accordingly, pharmacies selling Schedule H, H1 and X drugs had been directed to install cameras both inside and outside their premises. "All medical stores, chemists and pharmacies selling Schedule H, H1 and X drugs are hereby directed to install CCTV cameras inside and outside their shops… In case of non-compliance, appropriate legal action shall be initiated against the defaulter in accordance with law," the order copy read. The move has, however, triggered unease among chemists who said the decision will be challenged in court. The Retail Distribution Chemist Alliance (RDCA), which represents shop owners across the city, has called the order arbitrary and said it infringes on the privacy of patients.
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
Delhi govt directs chemist shops in south district to install CCTV cameras
Agency: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) The Delhi government has made it mandatory for medical shops selling a few specific categories of medicines in the city's south district to install CCTV cameras on and outside their premises to curb the sale of prescription drugs without authorisation. The August 18 order states the measure was endorsed in a meeting between the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) and the south district authorities on July 29. It was decided in the meeting that installing surveillance cameras in medical shops is necessary as a preventive step against the misuse of dual-use medicines. 'In case of non-compliance, appropriate legal action shall be initiated against the defaulter in accordance with law," the order stated. view comments First Published: August 19, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- The Hindu
Chief Secretary stresses on coordinated efforts to make Andhra Pradesh drug-free
Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand has stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by various State and Central agencies to make Andhra Pradesh a drug- and ganja-free State. Speaking at the second quarterly Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting held on Tuesday, Mr. Vijayanand said the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), formed by the government, was actively working to curb ganja cultivation in tribal areas of North Andhra Pradesh. He said EAGLE officers were creating awareness among tribal communities and encouraging them to shift to alternative crops such as coffee and silver oak, while also providing them with the necessary training and support. Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, who joined the meeting virtually, highlighted the need to strengthen inter-State check posts to curb drug and ganja smuggling. Inspector General of Police and EAGLE head Ake Ravi Krishna gave an overview of several operations including Operation Garuda, Operation Safe Campus Zone, Garuda 2.0, and Operation Chaitanya. These initiatives aim to curb the sale of unprescribed drugs in medical shops, check smuggling through trains, and eliminate ganja cultivation in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. Principal Secretary (GAD) Mukesh Kumar Meena, Special Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar Vishwajeet, Visakhapatnam Range DIG Gopinath Jetty, EAGLE SPs Nagesh Babu and Rajan Kumar, and officials from DRI, NCB, and IB also participated virtually.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Short-term rentals in Noida under scanner as highrise ‘b&bs' proliferate
Noida: Short-term rentals in high-rise residential societies have come under scrutiny following a spate of complaints about loud parties, drug use, and unauthorised commercial activity. Officials say properties listed on online booking platforms are being used as unregistered guesthouses and party venues, often in violation of housing and excise norms. At a recent Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting, DM Manish Verma directed police, excise officials and other agencies to investigate these properties. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida "We need to examine the legality of such rentals," Verma said. "If someone is letting out a flat for a day or two, it must comply with the Sarai Act. If liquor is being served, the flat owner must also have a home bar licence under UP excise rules." The Sarai Act, 1867, aims to standardise and regulate the operations of sarais or guesthouses, ensuring they are maintained properly and provide basic amenities to travellers. The Act outlines penalties for violations of its provisions, including fines and potential disqualification for owners. While platforms like Airbnb allow flexible stays, officials say the absence of regulation has allowed some units to become hotspots for disruptive gatherings and, in some cases, illegal drug use. Excise officer Subodh Kumar, who was present at the meeting, said many flat owners and brokers are letting out properties on a daily or weekly basis without any oversight. "These flats are technically residential but are functioning like mini hotels or party spots. This is not just a violation of housing regulations but also a potential threat to law and order," Kumar said. A multi-agency team will now survey residential societies where such listings are common and submit a detailed report to the district administration. Officials told TOI that short-term rentals were mostly operating out of studio apartments in under-construction residential societies without residents welfare association and apartment owners associations, making it difficult for them to track such activities. Typically, these are furnished flats with WI-FI and parking facilities, and charge anywhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a night. Currently, there is no formal regulatory framework for such rentals. Lack of hotels and guesthouses, especially near business and industrial hubs, makes these short-term rentals attractive to people visiting the city for work. The average rent of studio apartments in Noida ranges from Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 per month and from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 in Greater Noida. Rajiva Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners' Associations (NOFAA), said no residential society in Noida with a functioning RWA or AOA currently allows short-term rentals. "There was one society in Sector 137 where studio apartments were being rented out on Airbnb a couple of years ago, but that was stopped once the AOA was elected," he said. Singh raised concerns over security. "If new people are coming and going every night, who takes responsibility for the area's safety? Unlike tenants, daily visitors aren't subject to police verification," he added. The DM also called drug abuse in youths a matter of concern. "Drug addiction is not just misleading youth, it's weakening the social fabric. Every department must work together to stop it," he said during the meeting. He also stressed the importance of awareness campaigns involving schools, colleges, hostels, PGs, and RWAs. Surprise inspections will be carried out, and institutions will need to submit affidavits declaring their campuses drug-free. The administration is also planning to publicly recognise educational institutes that actively keep their spaces clean of drug activity.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
UT to develop portal to keep track of schedule H drugs
Chandigarh: For real-time monitoring of all schedule H drugs, the Chandigarh administration will develop a portal where chemists can upload records of such drugs available with them. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav chaired a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) on Tuesday to discuss prevailing issues related to drug trafficking, substance abuse, and associated public health and safety concerns within the UT. The meeting aimed to reinforce enforcement mechanisms, streamline inter-departmental coordination, and ensure effective ground-level execution of anti-drug measures. During the deliberations, Yadav directed all sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to inspect a minimum of three chemist shops per month in their respective jurisdictions. These inspections are to be conducted in collaboration with drug inspectors to ensure comprehensive compliance with regulatory norms governing the sale and distribution of pharmaceutical substances. A key focus of the directive was to ensure that all chemist shops within UT Chandigarh are equipped with functional and strategically positioned CCTV cameras providing full visual coverage of the shop premises. It is also mandated that all such CCTV systems maintain a minimum backup storage capacity of 30 days of recorded footage. This measure is being instituted as a deterrent against illegal activities and to strengthen accountability in the pharmaceutical retail sector. It was further emphasised that any instance of non-compliance or regulatory violation identified during such inspections shall attract strict punitive action in accordance with the relevant provisions of law. The district information officer was directed to develop a portal where chemists can upload records of all scheduled-H drugs available with them for real-time monitoring. Officials of the health department were directed to start a drug de-addiction centre at GMSH Sector 16, Chandigarh. Additionally, the education department, UT Chandigarh, has been instructed to undertake a comprehensive survey to identify and eliminate the presence of any tobacco vendors operating within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions. A consolidated report on the action taken is to be submitted to the superintendent of police (crime), UT, within 15 days from the date of issuance of this directive. Furthermore, the police department and education department have been jointly tasked with preparing and implementing a structured action plan aimed at conducting awareness campaigns and educational programmes to sensitize students and youth about the dangers of drug abuse. These initiatives are intended to build resilience, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and foster a drug-free environment across the city. The meeting also took note of the nationwide launch of the Tele MANAS (Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) initiative by the govt of India. This programme offers round-the-clock mental health counselling and support services through telephone and digital platforms. The primary objective of Tele MANAS is to provide timely emotional support, coping strategies, and professional referrals to individuals experiencing psychological distress, mental health disorders, or stress-related issues. Citizens are encouraged to avail themselves of the free and confidential services of Tele MANAS by calling the national mental health helpline number 14416.
