Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that the consumption of drugs and marijuana increases the crime rate in which the crimes include rape. He claimed that this has happened under the five-year rule of the YSRCP government, in which it was unable to reduce drug use and ultimately inflicted significant harm on the state. Naidu pointed out that seizures of marijuana at places across the country ultimately come from Andhra Pradesh. He called upon authorities to control its cultivation there, prevent interstate transportations, and rehabilitate drug addicts. He announced periodic reviews every quarter to gauge the progress in this context.
He demanded the regular detection and destruction of cannabis plantations by drones and satellite imagery. Secondly, a 2% drug control duty on alcohol may raise ₹150 crore a year to be spent on funding addiction relief centers, rehab services, and programs of destroying cannabis. He further recommended to include psychiatrists, spiritual leaders, and medical professionals to rehabilitate the addicts.
He said that 80% of remand prisoners have marijuana-related cases, and many of them form criminal networks in jails. Naidu added that addiction relief centers be opened in prisons and criminals be separated from others depending on the nature of crime. A special committee with officials from RTGS-Drone Corporation, Eagle Department, Excise, and Prisons Departments will be formed to study and tackle this issue.
Naidu criticized the Excise Department for being synonymous with corruption, especially during the previous government, citing exploitation through substandard liquor production. He called for immediate reforms, including preventing the sale of unlicensed and duty-free liquor and ensuring compliance with MRP regulations. Collectors and SPs were instructed to inspect regional laboratories to monitor liquor quality.
Naidu also underscored the need for digital payment in liquor shops to provide more transparency and accountability. He humorously mentioned that inputs from drunk people often revealed truths about illegal practices.
Accusing the YSRCP government of wide-ranging exploitation and smuggling of sand illegally to neighboring states, he urged the installation of CCTV cameras at border routes and prohibition on late-night sand excavation and transportation. He warned no political leader should support illegal practices of sand excavation and advised collectors to hold monthly interactions with transporters, diggers, and consumers over such issues.
He also added that transportation cost needs to be cut down so that the public is satisfied, which at this moment is already 80%. He believes that once sand transport to neighboring states is ceased, satisfaction levels would only improve.
These are the very programs with which Chandrababu Naidu intends to reinstate order, transparency, and accountability in the fight against drug abuse, alcohol misuse, and sand exploitation in Andhra Pradesh. These all present a multifaceted approach to deal with these problems.
