NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will introduce the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha.
This bill will decriminalise possession of a limited quantity of drugs for personal use. As per the current law, people who possess drugs are arrested and jailed.
Activists have recommended that substance abusers need rehabilitation and not jail.
Various ministries including from the department of revenue, home ministry, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), social justice ministry, and health ministry.
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Operations such as manufacturing, transport, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances will be regulated according to the new bill.
PRS Legislative Research said that this Bill will replace the ordinance of the same name to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The move to decriminalise possession of drugs has been taking place since actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan was arrested by NCB over 'possession.'