The government today approved the National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) to re-assert India's commitment to combat the drug menace in a holistic manner.

The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. The policy attempts to curb the menace of drug abuse and contains provisions for treatment, rehabilitation and social re-integration of victims of drug abuse.

Implementation of the provisions of the policy will lead to reduction of crime, improvement in public health and uplifting of the social milieu.

AIR correspondent reports that the NDPS Policy will serve as a guide to various Ministries and organizations. The policy recommends production of Concentrate of Poppy Straw in India by a company or body corporate. This would enable India to retain its status of a traditional supplier of Opiate Raw Material to the rest of world, while remaining competitive.

On the illicit cultivation of poppy and cannabis, the policy emphasizes use of satellite imageries for detection of illicit crop and its subsequent eradication and development of alternate means of livelihood in respect of cultivators in pockets of traditional illicit cultivation.

The policy was drafted by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue in consultation with the concerned Ministries and Agencies of the Central and the State Governments.

In another decision, the Cabinet today reviewed the implementation of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. The scheme has been extended to a few segments of unorganised workers.

It is likely to be expanded to other segments of such workers. The Scheme was launched in 2007 as the health insurance scheme for families living below the poverty line.