Chandigarh, Sept. 11 -- In a move to reduce the workload on SHOs and ASIs and help in time-bound probes, the Punjab government has empowered head constables to serve as investigating officers (IOs) in cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Previously, only officers of the rank of assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and above were permitted to investigate such cases.

A notification in this regard was issued by the home department on September 8, following a request from the Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, who cited that the move will help in time-bound probes and also increase the conviction rate.

The home department has invoked Sections 42 and 67 of the NDPS Act, 1985, allowing state and central government...