A circular issued by the Goa government’s directorate of education has sparked criticism from the Opposition. The directive, released on Thursday, mandates that schools in the state maintain a 500-metre drug-free zone around their premises as part of a nationwide initiative to combat drug abuse among students.

Details of the Circular

The circular states that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, has recommended that all educational institutions ensure the implementation of this 500-metre drug-free zone. It instructs all heads of government, government-aided, unaided, secondary, higher secondary, and special schools to take immediate action to comply with this recommendation.

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"In this regard, all heads of school are requested to take necessary action in this regard and ensure strict compliance with the above directions with immediate effect," the circular reads.

Opposition Response

Opposition parties have criticized the circular, arguing that the government's responsibility cannot end at the school gate or at an "imaginary 500 metre radius." Girish Chodankar, President of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), questioned the rationale behind the 500-metre limit: