Bhubaneswar: A 40-day training programme for Excise constables began in Odisha on Wednesday, with the state government seeking to strengthen its fight against illegal drugs and narcotics.
Inaugurating the training programme organised by the Excise Department, Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the government is committed to making Odisha a drug-free state and would further intensify its crackdown on the illegal trade and trafficking of narcotic substances.
Harichandan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi have been emphasising the need for a drug-free India and that the Excise Department has a crucial role to play in achieving the objective.
He said officers and employees of the Excise Department had carried out significant work over the past two years to prevent and systematically crack down on illegal drugs and narcotics.
“We are determined to expand this programme in the coming days and make Odisha a drug-free state,” the minister said.
Emphasising the importance of training, Harichandan said it should not be treated as a mere formality in the professional life of an employee. Training, he said, provides an opportunity to enhance knowledge, work efficiency, conduct, honesty and discipline.
He urged the Excise constables to make the most of the training programme, acquire knowledge and skills and use them effectively while discharging their responsibilities.
Excise Commissioner P. Anvesha Reddy, speaking at the programme, gave a detailed overview of the training and explained how it would help personnel improve their professional capabilities and perform their duties more effectively.
A total of 446 Excise constables will undergo training under the programme, with 150 personnel being trained in the first phase.
The 40-day programme will cover various subjects, including Excise laws and rules, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the Indian Evidence Act, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Government Servants’ Conduct Rules.
The training is aimed at equipping the constables with a better understanding of relevant laws and procedures and strengthening the department’s efforts to curb illegal drugs and narcotics in the state.
