Odisha govt directs colleges to maintain 500 metre drug-free zone around campuses

Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department of Odisha government has directed the Principals of all Government, non-government, government-aided colleges of the State to maintain 500 metre drug-free zone around campuses.

In a letter to the Principals of all the colleges across the state, Ramesh Chandra Behera, the SNO-cum-Deputy Secretary said that the National Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) mechanism and the Government’s commitment towards creating a safe, healthy and drug-free educational environment, it is to be ensured that no shop or outlet dealing in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, alcohol, tobacco or other intoxicating substances operates within a radius of 500 metres of any educational institution, as per the applicable provisions of law and Government instructions.

In order to assess and monitor the compliance status of the above guidelines, all Principals have been requested to furnish the requisite information relating to the area surrounding their institution.

The college authorities have been requested to conduct a physical verification and submit the prescribed information through the Higher Education Institution Management System (HIMS) portal by July 15.