KCR Announces 1 Lakh Prize Money For Informers Against Drugs:- Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, as part of the government efforts to root out drugs from Telangana State, on Friday, announced a prize money of Rs 1 lakh for people who give information about supply of drugs including ganja.

KCR also announced similar prize money for information provided on hookah centres, gambling dens and eve- teasing. He further assured that the names of informants would be kept confidential. He stated that, “Come forward and share the information with the police. Cooperate with the government and inform who is supplying the drugs. Though drug usage is not as severe as it is in other states, we need to nip it in the bud itself as the State has recorded 21% growth rate as well as secured number one position in maintenance of Law and Order.”

Irrespective of their social or economic status, though the criminals who are supplying drugs will not be spared, the drugs users will be treated as victims and will not be harassed. The Chief Minister, at a high level meeting at Pragathi Bhavan on the ongoing drugs investigations, reiterated that the State government was committed to eradicating social evils from the State. He said that the investigation into the drugs case was being conducted in an in depth and transparent manner to ensure that distribution and use of banned drugs are nipped in the bud.

He dismissed reports of large-scale drugs abuse in the State and that it had attained the level of menace. “Neither Telangana State nor Hyderabad city are among the list of top drug using places, but the government’s aim is to eradicate the supply of drugs at the entry level,” he asserted.

Mr. KCR said the government had managed to eradicate illicit liquor and shut down hookah centres and gambling dens, even as SHE teams kept a tab on harassment of women. He wanted the officials not to spare those involved in adulteration and supply or manufacturing spurious seeds or fertilizers. “We chanced upon the information on drugs abuse while on the drive against food adulteration and hence, we need to put an end to this issue,” he added. He congratulated the officers concerned over making good progress in the case investigation and directed them to get to the root of the problem.

Refuting reports that officials were targeting film industry in the drugs case, the Chief Minister said that as part of the investigation, people suspected of drugs abuse are being questioned and through them, information on those supplying and selling the drugs is being obtained. “It is our responsibility that no one in the State including students fall prey to drugs. We will not spare anyone who is supplying or selling drugs. The drug users also should change their habit,” he advised.

SUPRAJA