Hemp plants worth Rs 137 crore seized in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Nov 21 (UNI) The Excise officials have seized hemp plants worth over Rs 137 crore during the past three years in Orissa, Excise Minister Debi Prasad Mishra told the State Assembly today.

To a question of Prabhat Ranjan Biswal(ind), Mr Mishra said in Angul district alone the officials have seized hemp plants worth over Rs 62 crore, while in Phulbani over three lakhs hemp plants worth over Rs 60 crore were seized during 2003-2006.

Mr Mishra said in 2003-2004 as many as 49 cases were registered and 34 people were arrested under NDPS Act for illegally undertaking ganja cultivation.

Their number rose to 51 in 2004-2005, while 26 people were arrested in 2005-2006.

During 2006 till the end of September, 20 cases had been registered and as many people were arrested in connection with the illegal hemp plant cultivation.

The Excise Minister said during 2003 18.44 lakh hemp plants were seized by the Excise officials in the state, while in 2005 over 15 lakh hemp plants were seized during raid and combing operation at various places in the state.

To a question, Mr Mishra said the government was aware of the largescale hemp plant cultivation in two panchayats in Phulbani district and formed a multi-discipline squad to uncover the hemp plants and destroy them.

The Minister said the Excise officials had arrested 3613 people under NDPS Act during the past three years for their involvement in illegal liquor trading and seized 1.86 lakh lt spurious liquor worth over Rs 2.72 crore.

UNI DP SJC/SRC2010