Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has defended the Education Department’s 500-metre Drug-Free Zone circular, stating that it was issued in accordance with Government of India guidelines and directions from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to create awareness and monitor suspicious activities around school campuses.

Sawant said Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Cell is strong and maintaining a vigil on drug-related activities. He urged people not to unnecessarily create confusion over the circular and cautioned against maligning Goa’s image over the drug issue.
“The circular is aimed at monitoring suspicious activities on school campuses. People should not unnecessarily create confusion or malign Goa’s image over drugs,” Sawant said.
Meanwhile, Education Department Director Shailesh Zingde clarified that while the circular has been issued, preventing the sale of drugs is not the responsibility of educational institutions or school heads.