Telangana Intensifies Anti-Drug Drive, Approves Pensions for 4.5 Lakh New Beneficiaries

The Telangana government is taking stringent measures to eliminate drug abuse while strengthening social security for economically weaker sections, Revenue, Housing and Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said on Friday. He stressed that tackling drug abuse required collective responsibility from families, educational institutions and society.

Speaking at a school-level drug awareness programme and quiz competitions organised by the Excise Department under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' campaign, the minister said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had accorded top priority to controlling narcotics in the state. An EAGLE team comprising around 600 personnel had been established under IPS officers' supervision. So far, nearly 8,000 cases have been registered and more than 19,000 accused arrested across Telangana.

He warned that no recommendations or personal connections would be entertained in drug-related cases, adding that police had been instructed to take action against offenders regardless of their connections. The government was focusing on dismantling drug supply networks as well as preventing consumption. He urged parents to monitor children's behaviour and teachers to pay attention to their conduct.

Separately, at the Nelakondapalli Market Yard, the minister distributed pension sanction letters to 1,138 new beneficiaries from the constituency under the Cheyutha scheme. He announced that the government was approving pensions for another 4.5 lakh eligible people across the state to provide financial security to poor families. Criticising the previous BRS government, he alleged that no new pensions had been sanctioned during its eight-year rule.

The programme witnessed emotional moments as beneficiaries expressed gratitude. Kattekolu Venkateswarlu, a toddy tapper from Bodulabanda, said 65 members, including himself, had received pension approvals. Visually impaired beneficiary Pushpala Lakshminarayana, whose earlier applications had remained unsuccessful, thanked the minister after he personally approached him and offered reassurance.

The minister also distributed study material to unemployed youth receiving free competitive examination coaching through the PSR Charitable Trust, aimed at improving their employment opportunities.

Additional Collector Dr P. Sreeja, Excise officials, municipal representatives, Congress leaders and other public representatives attended the programmes.