Why in NEWS
The MANAS Helpline, launched in July 2024 by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has completed one year and received over 70,000 citizen reports related to drug crimes and abuse.
Key Terms
| Key Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| MANAS | Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra, a secure, anonymous reporting platform for drug-related crimes. |
| Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) | Government agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for fighting drug trafficking and abuse. |
| NDPS Act | Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Indian law regulating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. |
| Article 47 | Directive in the Indian Constitution for the State to prohibit intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs except for medicinal use. |
| Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 | UN treaty aimed at controlling narcotic drugs internationally. |
| Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 | UN treaty controlling psychotropic substances globally. |
| UN Convention against Illicit Traffic, 1988 | International treaty targeting illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. |
Details
- MANAS provides an anonymous platform for citizens to report drug-related crimes and seek support for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
- It was launched by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs.
- India’s fight against drug menace is backed by constitutional directives such as Article 47, which directs the state to prohibit intoxicating substances except for medical use.
- India is a signatory to major international conventions regulating narcotic and psychotropic substances, including the 1961 Single Convention, the 1971 Psychotropic Substances Convention, and the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic.
- Key legislation includes the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940), NDPS Act (1985), and the Prevention of Illicit Traffic Act (1988).
- Other initiatives include the NIDAAN Portal and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan focused on drug abuse prevention and awareness.
In a nutshell
MANAS Helpline strengthens citizen participation and vigilance against drug-related crimes, complementing India’s robust legal and international framework to combat the drug menace.
Prelims Questions
- What does MANAS stand for?
a) Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra
b) Monitoring Against Narcotics and Substance Abuse
c) Ministry Action for Narcotics and Substance control
d) None of the above - Which Ministry oversees the Narcotics Control Bureau?
a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
b) Ministry of Home Affairs
c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
d) Ministry of Law and Justice - Article 47 of the Indian Constitution directs the State to:
a) Promote the use of intoxicating drinks for cultural purposes
b) Prohibit consumption of intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs except for medicinal use
c) Regulate narcotic drugs only
d) None of the above
Prelims Answers
| Question No. | Correct Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | a) Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra | MANAS stands for Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra, a platform to report drug-related crimes. |
| 2 | b) Ministry of Home Affairs | The Narcotics Control Bureau operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. |
| 3 | b) Prohibit consumption of intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs except for medicinal use | Article 47 directs the State to impose prohibition on intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs, except for medicinal purposes. |
