The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) U.P. Unit conducted a public hearing on October 12, 2026, at the District Opium Office in Barabanki to address grievances of opium cultivators. The hearing was chaired by the Deputy Narcotics Commissioner, Lucknow (U.P.), with Assistant Narcotics Commissioner and other officers from Barabanki Division in attendance. Approximately 150 opium cultivators participated in the meeting where they expressed apprehensions regarding opium cultivation procedures and were apprised of legal provisions and administrative remedies available to them.
Farmers highlighted several operational challenges including irrigation difficulties and climatic vagaries associated with the licensing of single plots. They identified an anomaly in the current practice of village-wise plot licensing and suggested that allocations should instead be based on the mean distance from a farmer's dwelling. Additionally, cultivators formally requested an increase in both the overall number of issued licenses and the permissible size of individual cultivation plots.
The Deputy Narcotics Commissioner informed cultivators that a helpline number will be announced during the licensing operation for 2026-27 at the DNC Office in Lucknow to provide assistance to opium cultivators. Officials carefully heard all concerns, queries, and doubts presented by farmers and provided quick solutions where possible, with policy matters being recorded for further consideration.