Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 29: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the Directorate of Education's circular on maintaining a 500-metre drug-free zone around schools is aimed at ensuring that school managements remain vigilant about unknown persons and suspicious activities near campuses.
Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, said Goa Police would continue to take action against drug peddlers even beyond the 500-metre radius, clarifying that the circular does not permit the sale of drugs outside the designated zone.
"The circular is issued to create awareness against the drug menace," Sawant said, urging school managements to monitor unknown persons around campuses and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
"We will not allow anyone to sell drugs in the state. Goa Police continue to act against drug peddlers. Even if we get information about a small drug peddler, Goa Police arrest him," he said.
Sawant accused the opposition of attempting to malign Goa's image by claiming that the circular allowed drugs to be sold beyond 500 metres from schools.
"Don't malign the image of Goa and BJP," he said.
The Chief Minister said there was no need to create confusion among the public over the circular. He said similar directions had been issued across the country and that Goa's Education Department had issued the circular online based on recommendations from the Union Home Ministry and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
The circular states that the NCB has recommended that all educational institutions ensure implementation of a 500-metre drug-free zone around their campuses as part of a nationwide initiative to curb drug abuse among students.
The circular triggered criticism from the opposition soon after it was issued.
Former Goa Congress president Amit Patkar questioned the need for such a directive and said it reflected deeper concerns over the state's ability to protect its youth.
"This is not merely a law and order failure. It is a failure to protect Goa's future," Patkar said.
I can also make the headline more punchy in typical Daijiworld style, such as “Goa CM: No drug sales allowed, 500m school zone only for vigilance”.