Drive against Ganja: AP to Set Up Anti-narcotic Task Force, Special Toll-Free Number

 Vijayawada: Home minister Anitha Vangalapudi has said the government would appoint an anti-narcotic task force to control the trafficking in ganja and other narcotic drugs. A special toll free number will also be set up soon.

The first meeting of the sub-committee of ministers (ministerial sub-committee) formed for control of ganja and other narcotic substances was held at the state Secretariat in Velagapudi on Thursday.

Home minister Anitha chaired the ministerial sub-committee meet, in which education minister Nara Lokesh, excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, health minister Satyakumar Yadav, tribal welfare minister Gummidi Sandhyarani were present along with senior officials.

The sub-committee discussed the steps to be taken, which were later announced by the ministers Anitha and Sandhyarani. Anita said AP is determined to make the state drug-free.

She said, “If the youth are addicted to drugs, their future will be seriously affected. The government would appoint an anti-narcotic task force to control the trafficking in ganja and other drugs and introduce a state-level toll free number.”

The government, she said, has not given any permission to SEB for the past two years to destroy the cannabis crop. “Strict action will be taken against those who invest in the cultivation and transport of ganja. Actions will be taken to establish de-addiction centres and rehabilitation centres and students will be made aware of the side-effects of cannabis use right from the school stage.”

The home minister noted that most of the prisoners in the ganja cases were minors. “Surveillance will be done on who is investing in ganja cultivation and who is out on default bail.”

The task force would begin work within the first 100 days of this government, and those who have given information on the cultivation of ganja will be given suitable rewards on behalf of the government, she said.

Tribal welfare, women and child welfare minister, Gummadi Sandhyarani, said, "Eradication is a long-term process. Control is essential for students. Awareness seminars will be held to make the tribals understand the ill effects of cannabis cultivation and consumption in the lands allocated by the government.”

Sandhyarani urged the public to come and join hands with the government for eradication of ganja and drugs and give information to the authorities without any fear and promised that their details would be kept confidential and appropriate help be provided.

DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao and CID chief Ravi Shankar Ayyannar were present.