Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Goa’s 500-Metre School Drug-Free Zone Draws Opposition Criticism
Goa has told schools to keep the area within 500 metres free of drugs.
The instruction applies to many types of schools.
It follows advice from the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The goal is to reduce drug abuse among students.
Opposition leaders say children should be protected throughout Goa, not only near schools.
They also question what happens just beyond the 500-metre limit.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant says the rule follows national guidance.
He says anti-narcotics officials are watching for suspicious activity near school campuses.
Goa’s Directorate of Education directed schools to maintain a drug-free area within 500 metres of their campuses.
The circular applies to government, aided, unaided, secondary, higher secondary and special schools.
The measure follows a Narcotics Control Bureau and Ministry of Home Affairs recommendation under a nationwide anti-drug initiative.
Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders said the policy limits protection and shifts responsibility onto schools.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the circular follows national guidelines and will help monitor suspicious activity near schools.
- Who
- Goa’s Directorate of Education issued the circular; Opposition leaders and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant responded.
- What
- Schools were directed to ensure that areas within 500 metres of their premises remain drug-free.
- When
- The circular was issued on Thursday, with immediate compliance directed.
- Where
- At schools and within a 500-metre radius of school premises across Goa.
- Why
- It was issued as part of a nationwide initiative to curb drug abuse among students and monitor suspicious activity near campuses.
Opposition criticism
Government response
Scope of drug-free protection
Opposition criticism
Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders said Goa should become a drug-free state, arguing that children need protection in neighbourhoods, playgrounds, colleges, villages and cities—not just within 500 metres of schools.
Government response
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant defended the 500-metre measure as being based on Narcotics Control Bureau guidelines and recommendations.
Responsibility for enforcement
Opposition criticism
Opposition leaders said drawing a fixed radius could shift responsibility onto school heads and questioned what happens at 501 metres.
Government response
The circular directs school heads to take action, while Sawant said the anti-narcotics cell is keeping watch over drug-related activities near campuses.
Meaning of the directive
Opposition criticism
Opposition leaders argued that the circular reflects a broader law-and-order problem and a failure to protect Goa’s future.
Government response
The government said people should not create confusion and presented the directive as a step in a nationwide effort to curb drug abuse among students.
- Issuing authority
- Goa’s Directorate of Education
- Restricted area
- A 500-metre radius around school premises
- Schools covered
- Government, government-aided, unaided, secondary, higher secondary and special schools
- Basis of circular
- Recommendation from the Narcotics Control Bureau and Ministry of Home Affairs
- Implementation
- School heads were told to take immediate action and ensure strict compliance
- Opposition criticism
- Leaders said Goa needs protection across the entire state, not only around schools
- Government response
- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the circular follows national guidelines and supports monitoring near campuses