Narcotics cases on the rise: Government

New Delhi, March 15 : Drug and narcotics related offences are on the rise in the country, with 1,699 deaths reported in 2014, parliament was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha that the total number of cases reported under narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances rose from 29,247 in 2012 to 46,923 in 2014.

This "shows a rising trend", the minister said in a written statement.

The statement said the maximum deaths in 2014 occurred in Maharashtra (359), followed by Madhya Pradesh (188), Chhattisgarh (156), Punjab (118) and Haryana (117).

Among union territories, Puducherry accounted for 95 deaths, followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands (31) and Delhi (19).