*Disclosure of tenants, employees detail mandatory
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 1: In a significant step towards eradicating the menace of drugs and preventing the misuse of courier and parcel services for the transportation of contraband substances, District Magistrate Jammu, Dr Rakesh Minhas, has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, read with the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and NDPS Rules, 1985.
The order was issued following reports that courier and parcel services are being misused for transporting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances disguised as ordinary consignments.
Such acts constitute grave offences under the NDPS Act, punishable under Sections 8, 21, 22, 23, 25 and 29, among others.
The order states that no courier company, parcel service or logistics operator functioning within District Jammu shall accept, book or transport any narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or other contraband items unless it holds a valid transport permit under the NDPS Rules, 1985 and as per the regulations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The order further directs all courier and parcel companies to strictly verify the identity and credentials of consignors and consignees using valid Government-issued identity proof. They must maintain complete records of consignments, including sender and receiver details, parcel description, weight, booking receipt and date of booking. A record of the mode of payment received, whether in cash, digital, cheque, UPI or card form, along with transaction details wherever applicable, must also be maintained.
All employees engaged in courier or parcel operations, including delivery staff, booking clerks and franchise workers, must undergo local police verification, and an updated register of verified employees should be maintained. Furthermore, courier agencies are required to provide training and sensitisation to employees to help them identify suspicious consignments and report such cases immediately to the nearest police authority.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, has been entrusted to ensure strict enforcement of the order, conduct inspections and initiate legal action against defaulters.
Meanwhile, to strengthen public safety and security, the District Magistrate Jammu has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, mandating landlords, property owners, business owners and shop owners in the district to disclose details of tenants, domestic helpers and employees working in private sector or business establishments.
Considering the potential threat posed by adverse elements to public safety and security, the District Magistrate has directed all landlords, property owners, business owners, contractors and other responsible persons within the jurisdiction of Jammu District to comply strictly with the order.
As per the directions, all owners must, within seven days of issuance of the order, submit detailed particulars of tenants and workers as per the prescribed Declaration Form annexed with the order. The form, to be signed by both the owner and the tenant or worker, must be submitted to the concerned Police Station either in person or by registered post addressed to the Station House Officer.
Owners who have already let, sub-let or rented out their properties, or hired workers prior to the issuance of the order are also required to submit the details of such tenants or workers within seven days.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
