Report No. 155

Annexure V

Summary of Proceedings of Workshop at Goa

A workshop on 'Criminal Law & Narcotics Drug Psychotropic Substances' was heldunder the auspices of the Government of Goa and Law Commission of India on 18 January, 1997 at Hotel Mandovi, Panaji, Goa.

The following were present:

1. Shri P. Sundararajan, Addl. District Judge, Margao.

2. Shri A.D. Salkar, Addl. District Judge & SJM, NDPS, Mapusa.

3. Shri A.P. Cardoso, Advocate.

4. Shri S.S. Faria, Public Prosecutor, Margao.

5. Smt. Shobha Dhumaskar, Public Prosecutor, Mapusa.

6. Shri A.K. Singh, Supdt. of Police (H.Q.), Panaji, Goa .

7. Shri Gopal M. Jadhav, Police Inspector.

8. Shri N.V. Mhamal, P.S.I.

9. Shri Zeller C. De Souza., Advocate, Goa.

10. Shri Narendra S.A. Sawaikar, Advocate, (High Court Bar Association).

11. Shri M.P. Carvalho, Supdt. of Excise.

12. Prof. Dr. Carmo D'Souza, M.S. College, Panaji.

13. Prof. M.R.K. Prasad, Collage of Law, Panaji.

14. Shri Suresh Natulkar, Advocate, North Goa District.

15. Shri Devanand Shetkar, Advocates Association.

16. Prof. J.G. Prabhudessai, G.R. KARE College.

17. Prof. K.V. Kuncolienkar of Law, Margao.

18. Shri I.D. Shukla, Dy. Supdt. of Police, Panaji, Goa.

19. Shri Rajendra Raut Dessai, P.S.I.

20. Shri Pandurang S. Kalangutkar, P.S.I.

21. Shri D.S. Sawant, P.S.I.

22. Shri G.V. Dhume, Public Prosecutor.

23. Shri Bhanudas Gaunkar, A.P.P.

24. Smt. Edna Rodrigues, Public Prosecutor.

25. Shri Pramod S. Hede, Public Prosecutor.

26. Shri V.N.S. Malkarnekar, Public Prosecutor.

27. Smt. Asha Arsekar, A.P.P., Margao.

28. Shri J.C. DeCosta, Asstt. Public Prosecutor.

29. Shri Shekhar S. Parab, A.P.P., Panaji.

30. Smt. Teodolinda S. Sardinha, Asstt. Public Prosecutor.

31. Shri Subhas P. Dessai, A.P.P. Quepem.

32. Shri Devidas Kerkar, Asstt. Public Prosecutor.

33. Shri Shailesh Kalangutkar, A.P.P., Panaji.

34. Shri Ladislau M. Fernandes, A.P.P., Vasco.

The Chairman, Law Commission of India, Hob'ble Sri Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy, presided over the workshop. He emphasised the need for amending various provisions of the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 in the context of the questionnaire issued by the Law Commission. He invited the participants to project their views.

Some participants were of the view that more drugs should be brought under NDPS Act. According to them punishment alone will not be sufficient. There should also be social awareness against the ill effects of drug abuse. For the purpose social activist should be involved. The Press and media can also play an effective role In this regard.

Some other participants pointed out that the provision for small quantities of various Narcotics drugs prescribe, under the NDPS Act and punishment prescribed therefor are not satisfactory. To overcome this anomaly, the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act need to be amended.

A few of them expressed the view that section 27 of the NDPS Act dealing with the possession of small quantity of drugs for personal consumption should be deleted.

It was also suggested that special courts should be set up to deal exclusive with the cases under this Act.

It was further suggested that there is a need to bring users of soft drugs, both regular and occasional, within the purview of the NDPS Act.