A.P. government proposing to stop welfare schemes, if booked in ganja cases

The Hindu

14-07-2025

The State government is planning to cut access to welfare schemes to the accused in ganja-related cases and transform the Visakhapatnam Agency area into Araku Coffee hub, said Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha.
The Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), is aiming at curbing ganja and drugs menace in Andhra Pradesh and is working towards 'Zero Ganja Cultivation', she said.
Government was committed to check ganja (cannabis) and other drugs in the State and act sternly against those who were booked in ganja cultivation, peddling and consuming, the Minister for Home said at a press conference on Monday.
EAGLE has brought ganja cultivation area from 10,000 acres to almost zero now, and was creating awareness among the farmers on cultivating alternative crops. Some 40,000 saplings were distributed to 25,000 farmers, and officers of various departments were giving training in raising internal and short-term crops, she said.
'In the last six months, EAGLE booked 831 cases against ganja smugglers and consumers, arrested 2,114 accused and destroyed 68,620 kgs of cannabis. We request the public to 'Dial 1972', if they notice ganja transportation or consumption,' Ms. Anitha said.
EAGLE head and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna, who was also present in the press conference, said that assets worth about, ₹7.75 crore, belonging to ganja smugglers and their kin, were attached, a first of its kind move in the State.
'Proposals have been sent to invoke PIT NDPS Act against 24 notorious ganja peddlers and consumers in State, it has been invoked against five accused in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada,' the IGP said.
EAGLE Task Force Committees were set up in Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram and Vijayawada. Comprehensive village counselling has been taken up in 16,000 habitations. Police identified about 859 ganja hotspots in 375 villages and vigil has been stepped up on ganja peddlers of neighbouring States operating from A.P., Mr. Ravi Krishna explained.