The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) U.P. Unit held a public hearing to address grievances of opium cultivators on October 12, 2026 in the office premises of the District Opium Officer, Barabanki. The hearing was organised to provide quick and easy solutions to problems issues faced by opium cultivators and receive suggestions on making the opium cultivation farmer friendly.

Deputy Narcotics Commissioner addressing farmers and giving clarifications on opium cultivation procedures.

The public hearing was chaired by Deputy Narcotics Commissioner, Lucknow (U.P.), with Assistant Narcotics Commissioner, Lucknow (U.P.) along with other officers of Barabanki Division also present. The cultivators expressed their apprehensions regarding opium cultivation and were apprised of the legal provisions and administrative remedies available to them.

During a public hearing meeting attended by approximately 150 opium cultivators, participating farmers highlighted several operational challenges and administrative concerns. They primarily raised issues pertaining to irrigation difficulties and climatic vagaries associated with the licensing of a single plot, while also pointing out an anomaly in the current practice of village-wise plot licensing, suggesting instead that allocations be based on the mean distance from a farmer's dwelling. Additionally, the cultivators put forward a formal request for an increase in both the overall number of issued licenses and the permissible size of individual cultivation plots, etc.

The concerns, queries, and doubts presented by the farmers were heard carefully and quick solutions, as far as possible, were provided to them and recorded in case of policy matters.

Farmers discussing their issues before CBN officials at the public hearing

Further, the Deputy Narcotics Commissioner informed cultivators that a helpline number will soon be announced during licensing operation 2026-27 at DNC Office, Lucknow to help opium cultivators.

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