Cabinet approves draft law on attachment of property in drug cases

CHANDIGARH: Acting tough against drug smugglers, the Punjab cabinet on Friday gave green signal to a draft legislation enabling the authorities to attach, seize and forfeit properties of offenders booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The decision to approve the draft of Punjab Forfeiture of Illegal ly Acquired Property( PF I AP) Act ,2017 was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh here.

According to the draft legislation prepared in consultation with director general of police (D GP) Punjab Sure sh Ar ora, the property of an accused will be attached following the registration of a case under th eND PS Act, while its confiscation or forfeiture will take place only after the final conviction. However, the property older than six years at the time of the registration of the case will not be attached.

The PF I AP Act applies to every person who has been convicted of an offence punishable under the NDPS Act, with imprisonment for a term of ten years or more, and to every person in respect of whom an order of detention has been made under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.

This will not apply in cases wherein order of detention has been revoked on the report of the advisory board constituted under the said Act or such order has been set aside by a court of com-

petent jurisdiction.

NOD TO SPECIAL OPERATION GROUP

The cabinet has also approved the creation of a Special Operation Group (SOG), which will keep a vigil on militant threats, with non-fiscal incentives for the personnel who will join the new force. The SO G will, counter and neutralise militant threats such as suicide attacks, hostage situations and armed infiltration to save lives and properties.

The SOG, comprising a team with world-class training and the highest degree of commitment, would help respond effectively, adequately and in the least possible time to neutralise armed

aggressors.

It will also minimise collateral damage in the form of loss of civilian lives and damage to the strategic assets of the country.

In a move aimed at streamlining production at distilleries, the cabinet accepted a proposal for amending the Punjab Distillery Rules 1932, requiring the licensee to install flow meter sat a location specified by the excise commissioner for the purpose of monitoring the production and dispatch of extra neutral alcohol/rectified spirit.

Flow meters in the production line will help streamline production and stem any leakage from the distilleries.