Vijayawada:The Telugu Desam-led NDA alliance government has issued orders constituting a group of ministers (GoM) to contain the menace of narcotics, drugs and illicit liquor.
Following instructions from Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in this regard, chief secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad issued GORT 1888 establishing the GoM.
As per the order, the group of ministers will study, detect, control and prevent consumption of narcotics, drugs and illicit liquor, apart from rehabilitating the victims affected within the state of Andhra Pradesh due to these intoxicants.
Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha will be the chairperson of the group of ministers. The group members will comprise HRD minister Nara Lokesh, excise minister Kollu Ravindra, tribal welfare minister G. Sandhya Rani and health minister Satya Kumar Yadav. Principal secretary (Home) will be convener of the GoM.
According to the government order, the group of ministers can invite any other minister or officer for discussions. The group will comprehensively analyse the current status of production, prevalence and consumption of illegal drugs, illicit liquor, and narcotics. It will check out the existing facilities available for rehabilitating addicts.
The GoM will assess the existing statutory, regulatory framework and enforcement infrastructure, in addition to the mechanisms for controlling the illegal activities associated with drugs and illicit liquor. It will engage with relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, public health experts and community-based organisations to have a broader understanding of the issues involved.
The group of ministers will recommend policies aimed at cutting down the supply and demand for narcotics, drugs and illicit liquor. It will propose appropriate measures to enhance enforcement and prosecution for drug traffickers and illicit liquor producers. It will recommend effective awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of narcotics, drugs and illicit liquor.
The GoM will study the menace of ganja, take note of ganja cultivation in Andhra-Orissa areas, how the narcotic gets smuggled into AP, and the efficacy of existing mechanisms to tackle the ganja problem.
The group of ministers will suggest possible steps to be taken by the government for complete eradication of ganja problem in the state.
