Life imprisonment for selling drugs to minors or near educational institutes, two-five years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 for carrying small quantity of narcotics, chance to addicts to get treatment in Himachal Pradesh, and special courts for hearing cases of drug trafficking — these were among the recommendations of “enhanced penalties” proposed in the Himachal Pradesh Drugs and Controlled Substances (Prevention, De-Addiction and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2025, tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday.
State Health Minister Colonel Dr Dhani Ram Shandil (retired) presented the Bill, which also recommends a financial assistance for the rehabilitation of addicts, and shall be utilised and managed in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Himachal Pradesh government for drug demand reduction, treatment, detoxification or de-addiction, capacity building, focused intervention in vulnerable areas, skill development, vocational training and livelihood support to former addicts, rehabilitation of addicts, preventive education and awareness, surveys, studies, evaluation and research among others.
The proposals have been made with an objective to curb drug abuse, Shandil said: “The rising threat of drug abuse and illicit narco-trafficking poses serious risks to the public health, social stability, and economic progress. This Bill is with an aim to prevent drug abuse through stringent legal measures, while promoting rehabilitation and reintegrating addicts. The key measures include the establishment of state fund to finance de-addiction, rehabilitation, preventive education, and livelihood for addicts who have recovered individuals. Harsher punishments are based on drug quantity, with stricter penalties for repeat offenders; and enhanced penalties for selling drugs to minors or near educational institutions or using such premises for illegal activities.”
The introduced Bill also contains stricter punishment for the government servants stating, “Under Section 6 (2) if the public servant contravenes any provisions of this Act, he shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to one and half times of the term of punishment, and also be liable to fine, which shall extend to one and half times of the amount of fine.” The bill further states, “Any person who sells or supplies controlled substance to any individual under the age of eighteen years, shall be guilty of an offence to punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to one and half times of the term of punishment, and also be liable to fine which shall extend to one and half times of the amount of fine.”
The bill also provides an opportunity for convicted addicts to undergo the medical treatment. The bill’s Section 19 (1) states, “When an addict is found guilty of an offence punishable and if the court by which such person is found guilty is of the ease opinion, regard being had to the age, character, antecedents, or physical or certain offenders on mental condition of the offender, that it is expedient so to do, notwithstanding the court may, instead of sentencing such person at once to any imprisonment, with the person’s consent, direct that such person be released for undergoing medical treatment for detoxification or de-addiction from a hospital or an institution maintained or recognized by the government.”
The provisions
Stringent penalties: Those caught with small quantity of controlled substances will face two-five years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000. For large/ commercial-scale trafficking, it will be 10-14 years of imprisonment with a fine up to Rs 2 lakh. Anyone found selling drugs to minors or near educational institutions will face “enhanced penalties”, including up to life imprisonment. Public servants found guilty will face 1.5 times the standard punishment under the Act.
Special enforcement zones around schools, colleges: A 500-metre radius around schools, colleges, and educational institutions will be designated as “special enforcement zone” where drug-related offences will attract severe punishment.
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Fund for de-addiction, rehabilitation: Financial assistance to support de-addiction initiatives, funded through state and Central government grants, corporate social responsibility contributions, and fines — to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India regularly.
Legal safeguards, special courts: To handle drug-related cases, special courts will be responsible for expediting trials, holding protection programmes for witnesses, and ensuring drug-related offences remain non-bailable.
Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting.
Professional Background
Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters.
Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India.
Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh:
1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth.
2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025).
3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025)
4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025)
Legal & Agricultural Affairs
"Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned.
"Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur.
3. Governance & Environment
"Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act.
"Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters.
Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc:
crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023)
Signature Beats
Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs.
X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar
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