Will root out narcotics with an iron hand, asserts Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has vowed to take stringent action against drug peddlers, consumers, and all those involved in the illegal drug trade, asserting that the government is committed to eliminating the menace of narcotics.
Speaking at the walkathon organised by the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) in Guntur on Thursday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Mr. Naidu said drug addiction 'is not just a law and order problem but a societal threat' that needed to be rooted out.
Addressing a large gathering of students, parents, and the general public, Mr. Naidu urged people to say 'no' to drugs. 'We are committed to ensuring 100% law and order. Drones and CCTV surveillance are being used effectively to prevent crime,' he said.
WhatsApp number
On the occasion, he launched a dedicated WhatsApp number '897781972' and a toll-free helpline '1972' brought by EAGLE.
Criticising the previous YSRCP government, Mr. Naidu said during its tenure, the State had witnessed a surge in ganja cultivation, especially in the Visakhapatnam Agency, which was turned into a hub for drug production.
He accused former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of failing to act against drug culture. 'Mr. Jagan had visited a ganja batch in Tenali. Politicians should be role models,' Mr. Naidu said.
Expressing concern over the psychological impact of drug use, he said addicts often exhibited criminal behaviour, including sexual assaults.
He announced the establishment of world-class de-addiction centres in all the three regions of the State, and assured that in a year, the drug menace would be significantly curtailed.
Drawing parallels between the State's current development agenda and the IT boom in Hyderabad during his previous tenure, he said, 'Back then, we spoke about IT in Hyderabad. Now, we are envisioning a Quantum Valley in Amaravati. But our efforts will go in vain if our youth fall a prey to drug addiction,' he cautioned.
He reiterated the government's commitment to the Super Six promises, and criticized the previous regime for burdening the State with ₹10 lakh crore debt.
Inspector General of Police and EAGLE head Ake Ravi Krishna said 15 accused involved in drug trafficking and abuse had been arrested and jailed in recent operations. ' Strict action will continue against those involved in drug-related offences,' he warned.
Prathipadu MLA Burla Ramanjaneyulu accused the YSRCP regime of turning the State into the 'ganja capital', and praised Mr. Naidu for adopting zero tolerance towards drugs.
Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar and several Ministers from the State participated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
TDP top brass promises swift resolution of grievances
VIJAYAWADA: The TDP Central Office witnessed a flood of complaints during a public grievance redressal programme on Saturday, with petitioners raising issues of land disputes, financial fraud, and other injustices. TDP State president Palla Srinivasa Rao, Government Chief Whip Panchumarti Anuradha, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, former MLC Ashok Babu, and Khadi Rural Industries Board chairman KK Choudhary received the petitions and assured prompt action. A petitioner alleged that associates of Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy: Adapa Prem Chand, Guthula Avinash, and K Balareddy, defrauded him of Rs 1.2 crore by promising a medical seat for his son and later threatened him. Another petitioner from Pesarlanka in Bapatla district said a deceased person's identity was misused in 2019 to forge an Aadhaar card and sell their land. A woman from Kakinada accused YSRCP supporters of murdering her husband, a TDP worker, naming Narreddy Ravindra Reddy, Talari Bogadanna, and Belukuri Raju as the culprits. Other grievances included unpaid dues from Sai Kiran Hybrid Seeds, land encroachment by a former YSRCP sarpanch in Kurnool, and a mother from Guntur seeking a probe into her son's alleged murder, disguised as an accident. Anchena Nagalakshmi from Tenali accused officials and YSRCP leaders of colluding to forge land registrations. TDP leaders reiterated their commitment to public welfare.
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Free RTC bus travel plan for women in final stage in Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: The coalition government is chalking out final plans to implement free bus travel for women, a key Super Six promise. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting with APSRTC officials at his Undavalli camp office on Saturday to discuss the rollout, set to begin on August 15. To accommodate the expected surge in passengers, the Chief Minister directed officials to increase the number of buses by purchasing new ones or leasing them as needed. He emphasised that all new buses introduced by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) should be electric vehicle (EV) air-conditioned buses. He further instructed officials to explore converting existing buses to EVs and to equip every bus with GPS for better tracking and management. Despite the State's financial constraints, Chief Minister Naidu stressed the importance of fulfilling election promises while ensuring prudent use of public funds. He urged APSRTC to boost revenue streams and reduce operational costs. Suggestions included improving efficiency, maintaining clean bus station facilities, and ensuring passenger satisfaction through better services. He emphasised that Andhra Pradesh's scheme should be the most effective and passenger-friendly. 'Our implementation must set a benchmark for satisfaction and efficiency,' he told officials.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
AP govt disburses `400 cr through CMRF in one year
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government disbursed a whopping Rs 400 crore through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) in the last one year, thereby helping scores of families in the State. Through the CMRF, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu extended substantial aid to those suffering from serious health conditions. This financial assistance benefitted those who were not covered under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. Unlike any previous government, Naidu has allocated massive funds through CMRF, standing by the people in need, officials say. Compared to 2014, the state's financial situation in 2024 is in bad shape. 'The government is struggling to pay even small bills. Despite this, it is balancing welfare schemes and development programmes, launching several initiatives within just one year. In this context, the Chief Minister has been providing aid through CMRF without hesitation. A significant portion of the petitions and grievances submitted to the CM involve requests for CMRF assistance. Recognizing the importance of this, the Chief Minister has established a mechanism to resolve petitions within hours or days,' an official told Hans India For those treated in private hospitals for critical illnesses, the government reimburses expenses through the CMRF. Many families are being financially devastated by unexpected health crises. In such cases, people apply for aid either directly or through MLAs. Poor families who fall into debt due to major illnesses are greatly benefiting from the CMRF's support. According to available statistics, the state government in undivided Andhra Pradesh spent only Rs 758 crore under the CMRF from 2004 to 2014. But after taking over as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 post-bifurcation, Chandrababu provided Rs 1,533 crore through CMRF over five years, benefiting 2,23,742 individuals across 13 districts. This amount was more than what three Chief Ministers provided over 10 years in the united AP. However, when the YSRCP government came to power in 2019, the support from the CMRF declined sharply. Due to lack of access to the Chief Minister's Office, lack of a system for collecting petitions, absence of MLA appointments, and a generally closed-door approach, most applications did not even reach CM's desk. Between 2019 and 2024, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the then chief minister, released only Rs 897 crore through the CMRF. After returning to power for the fourth time in 2024 with a historic mandate, Naidu started allocating more funds for CMRF. The Chief Minister is also meeting common citizens daily at the Secretariat, personally receiving petitions. Whether at the party office or during district visits, wherever he receives petitions, he immediately instructs officials to act on them. As a result, within just one year, Chandrababu sanctioned around Rs 400 through the CMRF, benefiting 35,000 individuals. Depending on the severity of the medical condition, Letters of Credit (LOCs) are issued immediately to ensure timely treatment. Based on the family's financial condition and the seriousness of the illness, amounts ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 30 lakh are being disbursed to poor people. In the past year alone, 3,354 people have received LoCs worth Rs 89 crore. TDP state president Palla Srinivasa Rao said the Chief Minister took initiative to help ailing people through CMRF funds. He said poor and middle-class families suffer heavily and fall into debt traps due to health issues. Therefore, the Chief Minister is personally disbursing CMRF cheques to the family members of ailing people including those above poverty line. Citing an example, he said that he handed over a cheque for Rs 20 lakh from the CMRF to a poor man in his constituency, Gajuwaka, in Visakhapatnam. Thanking the Chief Minister for sanctioning financial assistance under the CMRF, B Rajeswari, a senior citizen and resident of Vijayawada, who underwent an operation, opined that the timely help from the Chief Minister saved her life.
