Gujarat became the first state in India to implement the Narco Reward Policy in 2021, offering incentives to informants for aiding in drug seizures.
This initiative, introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has yielded remarkable results, according to an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office on Thursday. Between October 2021 and December 2024, 87,607 kilograms of drugs, valued at ₹16,155 crore, were confiscated.
The narcotics menace, once confined to urban areas, has now permeated rural regions. In response, the Gujarat government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating drug abuse through measures like the Narcotics Reward Policy, which represents a significant step in protecting the state’s youth and combating drug trafficking.
During the policy's launch, Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, stated: “Drug abuse weakens society, and it is crucial for the youth to avoid it. While drugs may offer a fleeting high, they cause lasting harm to the body. If anyone becomes aware of drug activity, they should report it to the police or the State Home Department.”
Gujarat Police has emerged as a national leader in drug seizures, with the state being the first in India to introduce a reward policy for informants. This initiative, implemented under the Home Department, incentivises police personnel, employees, and informants to combat drug trafficking.
Under the policy, rewards are granted to informants who provide information leading to the seizure of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or illegally acquired property under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. It also benefits authorised officers and personnel from other departments who assist in investigations, prosecutions, or seizures under the Act.
The reward amount is determined by the accuracy and specificity of the information provided, the risk involved, and its significance. For government employees, factors such as the effort expended, the risk taken, and any related arrests are also considered. However, officers providing evidence as part of their routine duties are not eligible for rewards.
Informants under the NDPS Act, 1985, can receive up to 20 per cent of the illegal market value of the seized substances.
Government employees are eligible for a maximum career reward of ₹20 lakh, with a limit of ₹2 lakh per case. Private individuals assisting in office work are entitled to ₹2,500 per case. In cases where an informant or employee dies, the reward can be granted to their legal heir or nominee, subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
Since the policy's implementation, awareness of the Narcotics Reward Policy has led to a surge in cases registered under the NDPS Act, 1985. Between 2021 and December 2024, Gujarat Police seized 87,607 kilograms of drugs worth ₹16,155 crore and arrested over 2,500 suspects.
The policy has also resulted in significant monetary rewards. The DGP Committee approved rewards totalling ₹51,202 for 64 individuals, while the ACS, Home-level Committee sanctioned ₹6,36,86,664 for 169 individuals. Additionally, a proposal to reward 737 individuals with ₹5,13,40,680 has been submitted to the NCB Committee.
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