MoS Yogesh Kadam Orders Swift Action Against Drug Trade Across Maharashtra

Mumbai: Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam has directed officials to intensify actions to curb the sale, purchase, and transportation of narcotic drugs across Maharashtra. During a review meeting held at the Mantralaya, he instructed that a well-planned and time-bound program be implemented to identify locations, establish regional offices of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, and complete the recruitment process.

The state government has already established the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, and Minister Kadam emphasized the urgent need to complete the recruitment process to ensure the task force operates with greater efficiency.

The Minister further said that actions are already being taken to prevent the sale, purchase, and trafficking of narcotics. He stressed the importance of expediting the legal proceedings of pending cases in courts and called for regular reporting on the status of such cases. He also recommended that officials and staff in the task force be offered special allowances and promotions to encourage recruitment.

Noting that a significant amount of drug trafficking occurs through the coastal regions, Kadam directed that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force operating in coastal areas be equipped with advanced tools and vehicles. He called for increased surveillance and operations to curb drug-related activities in these regions.

Equal Pay for Contract Sanitation Workers in Police Stations, Directs Minister Kadam

Yogesh Kadam also directed that contract-based sanitation workers in police stations be paid minimum wages as per the government notification dated January 27, 2017. He assured that action on minimum wage compliance will be taken as per the Chief Minister's instructions.

Minister Kadam noted that around 1,800 contract-based sanitation workers are currently working in various police stations across the state. He stated that these workers should receive the same wages and benefits as those provided to workers in other departments. All contract-based sanitation workers across the state must receive equal pay, and accordingly, sanitation workers under the Home Department should also be paid fairly.

He added that permanent sanitation workers should be given benefits as per the recommendations of the Lad-Paghe Committee. Additionally, pending arrears from 2017 should be cleared during wage disbursement. “No sanitation worker should face injustice,” he asserted.