The State Government is seriously pursuing the destruction of cannabis and making all out efforts to contain the growing menace.
Excise Principal Secretary Sudarshan Pal Thakur is coordinating the task with Odisha police, Forest, various other line departments and Narcotics Control Bureau of the Government of India.
So, the police administration in general and the State Crime Branch in particular are actively pursuing the destruction of cannabis, which are mostly cultivated in eight districts.
Taking another proactive step, the Department of Excise has asked the District Magistrates to convene a meeting of Panchayati Raj Institutions and consider passing resolutions against illegal cultivation of cannabis.
According to an official communiqué, various provisions of NDPS Act have to be highlighted by the Collectors to discourage illegal cultivation of the contraband.
The District Magistrates and SPs have been asked to identify priority areas for enforcement, fix time for operation, arrange deployment of police, paramilitary and Excise staff and appoint a Magistrate on duty in areas where cannabis cultivation is rampant.
The funds released for the purpose will be spent by Collectors in consultation with respective SPs of the district.
The Collectors and SPs have been directed to recommend cases for detention under NDPS Act.
The Excise Department stated that in the absence of strict enforcement of NDPS Act, an impression is being created that only small time defaulters are getting caught for indulging in cannabis cultivation even as the big operators manage to get away.
The Superintendents of Excise have been asked to take storage godowns on rent and adhere to threshold level seizures.
Stressing the need for collection of intelligence, the Department has asked police, Excise and Forest officials to gather intelligence from ground level and act accordingly against the culprits.
Besides, the SPs have been directed to keep a close watch on the ongoing trials of NDPS Act related cases and appoint investigating officers to keep track of trials.