Nabarangpur– An awareness campaign against the use of narcotics and adulterated toxic substances was launched today in the premises of the District Collector’s office, organized by the Excise Department. As part of this campaign, an Awareness Rath (chariot) was flagged off.
The District Collector, Dr. Subhankar Mahapatra, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and flagged off the Awareness Rath to begin its journey across the district. Also present at the event were Additional District Collector (General) Tapan Kumar Khuntia, Additional District Collector (Revenue) Biswajit Barman, Chief Development Officer of the District Council Biranchi Narayan Darwan, Additional Superintendent of Police Aditya Kumar Sen, Superintendent of Excise Prabhas Kumar Das, Regional Transport Officer Jitendra Bhoi, District Social Security Officer Sudhanshu Patra, District Information and Public Relations Officer Manoj Kumar Behera, District Culture Officer Ghasia Harijan, along with staff from the Excise and Police departments.
This Awareness Rath will cover all 189 Gram Panchayats of the district, spreading the message:
“Our Resolution – No to Intoxication, Yes to Life.”
The chariot will disseminate this message through musical presentations and extensive public outreach to raise awareness among the masses.
Various forms of drugs and narcotic substance trafficking are punishable offenses under the law. The cultivation and transport of cannabis, the sale of adulterated and toxic liquor, and harmful substances like psychotropic drugs are punishable under the Odisha Excise Act, 2008, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, with provisions for rigorous imprisonment and fines.
This extensive awareness campaign has been launched by the State Government starting from 31st May 2025, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, aiming to free both villages and cities across Odisha from the grip of dangerous addiction.