AP Govt initiates steps to destroy ganja worth 1 lakh crore 

Rajamahendravaram: Minister for Excise KS Jawahar said that ganja stocks worth Rs 1 lakh crore are available in the city and the government is initiating steps to destroy it shortly and thinking how to destroy the material. 

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, the minister said ganja stocks were recorded in cameras also. The government is taking steps to combat ganja smuggling in the state. Officials of excise department were directed to register cases against the ganja smugglers under PD Act.  

Special teams are also working to eradicate the menace. The cost of ganja per kg starts from Rs 30,000 and there are variations in the prices, he said. Excise department also conducting awareness meetings against the use of ganja and its cultivation, he added.

“The government is not viewing excise department as a cash cow. The department is acting tough against the persons running belt shops in the state. As many as 10,000 complaints were received relating to belt shops to my number,” he said.