Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said a circular issued by the directorate of education on maintaining a 500m drug-free zone around schools is intended to ensure that school managements remain vigilant about unknown persons near campuses.He said Goa police will act against drug peddlers beyond the 500m radius as well, and that the circular does not permit drug sale outside the zone.“The circular is issued to create awareness against the drug menace,” Sawant, who also holds the home portfolio, said. He said school managements must keep watch on unknown persons around campuses and report suspicious activity.“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. The opposition claiming that drugs can be sold beyond 500m around schools is only to malign the image of Goa,” he said. “Don’t malign the image of Goa and BJP.”Sawant said there was no need to create confusion among the public over the circular. He said similar directions have been issued across the country, and that the education department issued the circular online following recommendations from the Union home ministry and the Narcotics Control Bureau.“The Narcotics Control Bureau has recommended that all educational institutions ensure the implementation of a 500m drug-free zone around their campuses as part of the nationwide initiative to curb drug abuse among students,” the circular said.The opposition criticised govt soon after the circular was issued. Former state Congress president Amit Patkar said the directive raised questions about why such a move was necessary. “This is not merely a law and order failure. It is a failure to protect Goa’s future,” he said.
