I will not leave you till you leave ganja, says Deputy CM

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan called upon the tribals in Parvatipuram Manyam district to shun ganja cultivation for commercial purposes in their villages.

He addressed tribals at a meeting in the agency area and said that he would not leave them until they discarded ganja from their life. “I have immense respect towards tribal traditions but ganja cultivation should be considered as a social problem.”

Ganja leaves and toddy are offered to village deities during festivals. “It would have been good if ganja was confined to traditions but it had gone beyond and become a menace that Andhra Pradesh has gained the dubious distinction as ganja export hub.”

The Deputy CM assured the tribals that the government would show them alternative means to improve their income.

He suggested that the tribals should switch to tourism from ganja cultivation to earn money. “Improve and beautify homes in the villages and try to provide them to the tourists for their accommodation, and you will benefit from it.” He also advised them to grow herbal plants which could also increase their income.

Additionally, he appealed to the youth to stay away from ganja peddling. It could be a remunerative job but will have a debilitating effect in the long run.

Pawan Kalyan tried explain the how cultivation of the contraband would have an adverse impact on the youth and gradually ruin their lives.

Pawan Kalyan cited an incident where the intoxicant allegedly led to the killing of a teacher by the pupils, who became aggressive due to consumption of ganja, in Kadapa district. Chocolates laced with ganja are being given to kids.

During campaigning in 2017, it came to my notice that ganja is being grown extensively as a means of livelihood. But it is not advisable to continue growing ganja on a large-scale and exporting the same. This should stop and corrective measures would be initiated, he informed.

“It is the responsibility of the government to take up development programmes across the state, irrespective of the party to which the eletorate casted their votes,” he said, while replying to a query on why the Deputy CM was keen on the welfare of the people who voted for the YCP.

The Deputy CM displayed his commitment to people’s welfare and serving the marginalised by spending more time with them to understand their grievances and find suitable solutions.