Bengaluru: Alarmed over rise in sales of ganja in schools and colleges, the Excise department has constituted a committee to deal with the menace.
Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur said on Wednesday, “The sale of ganja and drugs in schools has increased. I have conducted a meeting with department officials and categorically instructed them to take strict action."
"The department has requested Narcotics Control Bureau to train excise officers to deal with drug related cases. We have formed a special committee to investigate such cases," the minister said.
The department officials have recently seized 11.70 kg ganja in Srinivasapura taluk in Kolar district and arrested the culprits. In the previous year, the department had slapped 39 cases and seized drugs worth of Rs 504 crore, Mr Thimmapur said.
Regarding opening of bars and restaurants as early as 6 am, the Minister instructed the officials to take strict action against erring bars and restaurants owners.
He said the liquor sale at State and National Highways has only marginally affected overall sales. They has been only 1.2 per cent dip in sales, he said in reply to a question.
