Rishiraj Singh. Onmanorama/File photoThiruvananthapuram: How much ganja do the people of Kerala smoke up? Estimates vary but excise commissioner Rishiraj Singh wants his officers to seize at least 40 kilos from across the state every month.
The department seized 90 kilos of ganja in July in 453 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, according to the latest data available. The department has registered 2,975 cases up to July 31 this year with Kollam district accounting for a whopping 379 cases. Ernakulam follows closely with 319 cases.
Rishiraj Singh wants deputy commissioners in Kollam, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kannur and Malappuram districts to seize at least 40 kilos of ganja every month. The target is 20 kilos in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Wayanad, and Kasaragod districts.
The commissioner issued the circular as the ganja haul has slowed down in some of the districts, additional commissioner (enforcement) A. Vijayan IPS told Manorama Online.
Junior officers, however, complain that the order would serve no purpose but to put additional stress on the department. “It is impossible to seize 40 kilos of ganja from a district when the supply of the contraband has decreased,” an officer said.
“We do not have enough personnel to step up the raids. Besides, setting a target is not legal.”
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