Andhra Minister Launches Navodayam 2.0 Crackdown on Illicit Liquor, Ganja
Starting the state-level initiative at the Police Parade Grounds in Ongole on Wednesday in the presence of social welfare minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Ravindra underlined that Prakasam district has hosted successful launch of several major programmes, including the Navodayam 1.0 in 2016.
Kurnool: Excise minister Kollu Ravindra announced the launch of Navodayam 2.0 under which the state government will eliminate production and consumption of illicit liquor.
Starting the state-level initiative at the Police Parade Grounds in Ongole on Wednesday in the presence of social welfare minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Ravindra underlined that Prakasam district has hosted successful launch of several major programmes, including the Navodayam 1.0 in 2016. At that time, the TD government successfully eradicated illicit liquor from 10 districts of the state.
The excise minister underlined that youth are the state's greatest asset. “It is the state government's responsibility to ensure that they do not become victims of substance abuse, including illicit liquor, drugs and ganja,” he emphasised.
Ravindra pointed out that adulterated liquor has been banned, old liquor brands have been reintroduced and there is strict monitoring to ensure that liquor reaches retail shops only after passing 12 quality tests.
The excise minister reiterated that special Eagle teams have been formed to curb drug trafficking. He requested people to report any instances of ganja or drug sales by calling helplines 14405 or 1972. He underlined that the state government is working to make Andhra Pradesh completely ganja-free within six months.
Ravindra said awareness campaigns are being run at the village level to educate people about the dangers of liquor and drug abuse.
Speaking on the occasion, social welfare minister Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy said the state government has allocated ₹100 crore to combat the evils of drugs and narcotics. The newly introduced Eagle teams will play a crucial role in this regard.
Veeranjaneya Swamy underlined that excise officers must work efficiently to prevent drug use, particularly in colleges. He sought immediate action to curb the rising drug menace.
MLAs Damacherla Janardhana Rao of Ongole, Kandula Narayana Reddy of Markapuram, B.N. Vijaya Kumar of Santhanutalapadu and Gottipati Lakshmi from Darsi, excise commissioner Nishant Kumar, enforcement director Rahul Dev Sharma, district collector A. Thameem Ansaria and district SP A.R. Damodar were among those present at the launch of Navodayam 2.0.