Latest news with #Chaitanyam2025
Hans India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Properties worth Rs 3.73 cr seized: Min Anitha
Paderu (ASR District): Minister Vangalapudi Anitha announced that properties worth Rs 3.73 crore have been seized from ganja cultivators and smugglers as part of the government's crackdown on illegal cannabis operations. She spoke as the chief guest at 'Chaitanyam 2025' conference held at Junior College Grounds in Paderu on Friday, aimed at achieving a ganja-free state. The Minister warned that even cultivating two ganja plants is a punishable offence, and those caught with ganja will be denied bail for six months. She said those convicted of cultivation or smuggling could face 10 to 20 years of imprisonment. Sharing insights from her recent visit to Visakhapatnam Central Jail, Minister Anitha said that out of 900 inmates imprisoned for ganja-related offences, 700 were tribal youth. She alleged that middlemen were misleading tribal farmers into ganja cultivation, exploiting their innocence. Referring to Alluri Sitarama Raju district as 'Andhra Ooty', she expressed concern that smugglers were misusing its pristine environment. She vowed to clamp down on all those encouraging ganja farming and emphasised that the government had launched a full-fledged war against ganja menace. District in-charge Minister and Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani stated that the government is distributing two crore horticulture saplings to tribal farmers as an alternative to ganja. 'The Chief Minister is waging a sincere battle to protect the state from the ganja epidemic,' she said. She added that fruit saplings like sapota, mango, guava, jamun, lemon, jackfruit, custard apple, are being given to farmers as alternatives to cannabis. She reiterated the government's commitment to delivering welfare schemes to every household. District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar informed that under the MGNREGS, fruit orchards are being developed in 35,000 acres with a funding of Rs 54 crore, and coffee plantations would be expanded to one lakh acres over the next four years on the Chief Minister's instructions. He added that departments such as police, agriculture, horticulture, education, and health are working in coordination to eradicate ganja cultivation from the district. SP Amit Bardar said massive awareness campaigns are being carried out and that modern technology and drone surveillance have helped detect and eliminate ganja in 93 acres. He said 325 families involved in ganja cultivation have been identified and are being assisted with alternative crops. Awareness meetings were held in 1,631 villages, and strict monitoring of smuggling from Odisha is also being undertaken. On the occasion, dignitaries also distributed fruit saplings and millet seeds to farmers. Rampachodavaram MLA Miriyala Sirisha Devi, GCC Chairman Kidari Shravan Kumar, APSRTC Vizianagaram Regional Chairman Donnu Dora, Joint Collector Dr MJ Abhishek Gowda, Sub-Collector Saurya Maan Patel, Eagle SP Nagesh Babu, and others were present.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. distributes 2 crore saplings in tribal regions to curb ganja cultivation
In a step to curb ganja cultivation in the tribal regions, Minister for Tribal Affairs Gummadi Sandhya Rani announced that the government will distribute nearly two crore horticulture plants to farmers in the Agency areas in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. The announcement was made during 'Chaitanyam 2025,' an awareness meet organised in Paderu The Minister said that the NDA government is committed to eradicating ganja from the State. As an alternative to ganja, tribal farmers will receive fruit-bearing plants such as silver oak, sapota, mango, guava, jamun, lemon, jackfruit, and custard apple. The Minister said: 'Almost 90% of ganja cultivation has already been eradicated in the district.' She highlighted how tribal-grown coffee has achieved international recognition and revealed that plans are underway to expand coffee plantations to one lakh acres. She further said that the government is making efforts to improve road infrastructure in remote tribal regions, with ₹1,000 crore earmarked for road construction over the next few years Home Minister V Anitha expressed concerns over tribal youth being exploited by ganja smugglers and middlemen. She said: 'Of the 900 ganja smugglers currently in Visakhapatnam Central Jail, nearly 700 are tribal youth misled by middlemen to illegally cultivate ganja.' The Home Minister also said that assets worth ₹3.73 crore have been seized from those involved in ganja-related crimes. District Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar shared that fruit saplings are being planted across 35,000 acres through the NREGS scheme, with a budget of ₹54 crore. He said that, following Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's directives, coffee cultivation will be scaled up significantly in the next three to four years. District SP Amit Bardar said that around 93 acres of ganja crops have been identified and destroyed using drone surveillance. He stated that 325 families previously engaged in ganja farming are now being supported with alternate livelihoods. Awareness programs have been organised in over 1,600 villages to educate people on the dangers and legal consequences of ganja cultivation. Eagle IG Ravi Krishna urged citizens to report illegal activities through the toll-free number 1972, assuring confidentiality for informants. During the programme, the dignitaries distributed saplings and ragi seeds to farmers. Officials also launched the 'Swachha Sankalpam' poster.
