CM Revanth: Film Industry must screen anti-drugs, cybercrime awareness videos before movie starts

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said Telugu film industry bigwigs, who seek government permission to increase ticket prices when a big budget film is released, are not fulfilling their social responsibility to raise awareness on the menace of drugs and cyber crime.

He directed the officials to set a pre-condition to filmmakers to provide a video of one or two minutes duration to the government to promote awareness on drugs and cybercrime when they approach the government to hike ticket prices.

The video can be made with the same cast who acted in the film for which permission to hike ticket prices is sought, he said.

Revanth Reddy, who was speaking after flagging off a fleet of vehicles of state anti-narcotics bureau and cyber security bureau, appreciated mega star Chiranjeevi for handing over a video to the government against the problem of narcotic substances.

The Chief Minister also asked the Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissioners here to place the request before filmmakers to provide a short duration video to raise awareness against narcotics and cyber crime when permissions are sought for film shootings.

Films must play anti-drug videos in theatres

Revanth Reddy said he agrees that films are made with investment of crores of rupees but drugs is a societal problem, he said. Filmmakers should give back to the society, he said.

The chief minister instructed that cinema theatre owners should screen short duration films free of cost before beginning the film screening to promote awareness against drugs and cyber crime.

Highlighting the menace of drugs, he said one person dies in a murder but families suffer if a person is addicted to drugs.

Asserting that the state government is committed to check the scourge of narcotics, Revanth Reddy urged personnel of state anti-narcotics bureau and cyber crime bureau to check the crimes effectively.

It is the government's responsibility to ensure departmental promotions to the officials who perform their duties efficiently, he said.

Police should instil fear among cyber criminals and those involved in supply of drugs to carry out their activities in Telangana, he added.

It is a routine practice in Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to increase ticket prices, with government permission, for some days after the film's release.

Reacting to the drug menace, Revanth Reddy said that the family and system were destroyed by the epidemic.

Cyber warrior in every police station

While talking to police officers, CM Revanth Reddy said that the government is committed to curbing cybercrimes and making Telangana a ‘Cyber Safe State’. “To reach this objective, in every police station in the State, a trained cyber warrior has been posted to handle cybercrime complaints,” the CM said.

He further stated that, so far in 2024, around 10,000 FIRs have been registered in the State.

He announced that 5,191 victims of cybercrimes have been refunded a total amount of Rs 32 crores that they had lost to online scams since March 18 this year.

"Seven new specialised cybercrime police stations have started functioning in the State since April. He chaired an interaction meeting with L&O officers of the Tri-Commissionerates of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda," he added.

Speaking about the rampant drug abuse in Hyderabad and the rise in cybercrimes across the State, he said, “The government will cooperate in the matter of permits only to those who cooperate with these regulations. In Telangana, we should be afraid to hear the word drugs. Friendly policing is for victims only, not criminals,” he said.

Rs 263 crores frozen

“Telangana is one of the few states in the country with a fully functional Cyber Security Bureau and a 24/7 fully operational 1930 call centre. We are among the top states in the country in freezing the bank accounts of the fraudsters,” said CM Revanth and added that the process of refund has been simplified.

He said that as much as Rs 263 crores of lost amount have been frozen in the fraudsters' accounts. As many as 36,000 SIMs, 8,300 IMEIs and 2,300 URLs/Apps have been blocked.

By using state-of-the-art tools and technology and cooperation across police stations, TGCSB has established crime links of 671 accused to almost 77,000 cybercrime cases registered across the country.

Budget allocated for fighting cybercrime

CM Revanth further stated that the government is committed to providing support to a Cybercrime Bureau. In the first quarter of the year itself, a Rs 3.75 crore budget has been sanctioned to the Cyber Bureau.

The CM flagged off 14 four-wheelers and 55 two-wheeler vehicles which were sanctioned by the State government to the Cyber Security Bureau.

CM Revanth appeals to youth to reject drugs

“Telangana is a land of struggles and movements. Unfortunately, the usage of drug use is rampant in every nook and corner of the state. The staff has been allocated for drug control and those who have worked effectively in drug control will be promoted. Crimes are committed under the influence of cannabis. Drugs are the reason for the incidents of violence against children. Telangana youth should not get addicted to drugs, they should be able to fight the problems,” he said.

The chief minister further said that discussions would be held in the Legislative Assembly and laws would be formed around the issue. Media should focus more on problems in society rather than political controversies. The responsibility of the media is to inform the public about such programmes, he said.

“The government will cooperate in the matter of permits only to those who cooperate with these regulations. In Telangana, we should be afraid to hear the word drugs. Friendly policing is for victims only, not criminals,” he said.