Steps apace to check ganja smuggling: CS

Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad has announced that stringent measures are being implemented to control the peddling and consumption of ganja and other drugs in the State. This announcement came during the 7th Apex Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD), chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. The meeting was attended virtually by Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police, and other officials from all states. During the meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the National De-Addiction Helpline Center with the number 14446 for drug-related issues.
Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad highlighted that under Operation Parivarthan in Andhra Pradesh, rigorous steps are being taken to curb the use and cultivation of ganja and other narcotics, especially along the Andhra-Odisha border.
Measures include preventing tribal communities from cultivating ganja and setting up a special task force and numerous check posts to control the drug’s distribution. Additionally, heightened vigilance is being maintained on school and college premises to deter drug consumption among students, and behavioral change programs are being implemented.
In remote tribal areas, the government is promoting alternative livelihood crops such as coffee, ragi, orange, and sweet lemon instead of ganja on ROFR patta lands. State and district-level NCORD committees, led by the Chief Secretary at the state level and District Collectors at the district level, are actively monitoring and controlling the situation. Large-scale awareness programs are being conducted in schools and colleges to educate the public on the health risks associated with ganja and other intoxicants.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the need for significant personal transformation among students in schools, colleges, and hostels to steer clear of drugs. He urged continuous monitoring by state-level CSs, DGPs, and district-level Collectors and SPs to control the supply of ganja and other narcotics, and called for the involvement of various associations and organizations in these efforts.
The meeting also saw participation from Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Special Chief Secretary Medical & Health MT Krishna Babu, PCCF Chiranjeevi Chawdary, CID Additional DGP Ravi Shankar Ayyannar, Principal Secretary Home Department Kumar Vishwajit, SEB DIG M Ravi Prakash, DME Dr. Narsimham, and other officers.