Parliament passes amendment to Drugs Act to allow appointment of State, Deputy Ministers to NDCC

The parliament has passed an amendment proposed by the government to the Drugs Act to allow the appointment of State Ministers and Deputy Ministers instead of Ministers to the National Drug Control Council (NDCC).

The amendment was passed with 48 votes in favour, and 13 abstentions.

The bill was submitted by Vilingili MP Saud Hussain.

The Drugs Act, prior to this amendment, states that the President shall, within 30 days of the Act coming into force, establish a Council to be named the “National Drug Control Council”, which will consist of the following 12 members: Vice President, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Education, Minister of Health and Family, Minister of Human Resources, Youth and Sports, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Attorney General, Commissioner General of Customs, Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Chief of Defence Force, and Prosecutor General.