New Delhi: The Government of India on Tuesday clarified that Kerala has not submitted any proposal for central funding to establish Fast Track Courts for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases in the state.

In a written response to Adoor Prakash in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, said there is currently no scheme in operation under which funds can be exclusively allocated for setting up NDPS Fast Track Courts.

“There is no proposal from the State of Kerala towards central assistance for establishing Fast Track Courts for the trial of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases in the State pending before the Government. There is no scheme in operation at present under which funds can be provided exclusively for establishing the Fast-Track Courts for NDPS Act cases. The number of Fast Track Courts for trial of NDPS Act cases established by the States is not maintained,” the minister stated.

No separate ministry or policy for Union Territories

Earlier in the day, the ministry also clarified that the Central government is not planning to create a separate Ministry or Parliamentary Inspection Committee for Union Territories (UTs). This was in response to a query raised by Independent MP Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai.

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Rai noted that the government sees no requirement for a dedicated Ministry or Department of Union Territory Affairs to manage UTs. Additionally, there are no plans to introduce a special policy framework for UTs such as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, despite their unique administrative and geographic requirements.

The statement underlines the government’s position that NDPS cases in Kerala will continue under existing judicial mechanisms, and there is no separate central initiative for Fast Track Courts or dedicated oversight for UTs at this time.

This clarification comes amid ongoing discussions about strengthening judicial processes for narcotics-related offences and managing administrative oversight of Union Territories.

ANI