Telangana Governor moots mandatory anti-drug pledge for students
Hyderabad, April 19
Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Sunday suggested that a declaration or pledge be obtained from students at the time of admissions in schools and colleges, affirming their commitment to stay away from drugs.
He made the suggestion during a meeting with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and state minister D. Sridhar Babu at Lok Bhavan.
According to an official release, education and drug-free campuses were the key focus of the meeting.
During the interaction, the Governor discussed various issues related to the education sector with the Chief Minister. He emphasised the need to create awareness among students on the dangers of drug abuse and suggested that effective measures be taken to control substance use in educational institutions.
The Governor further proposed that students should be administered a pledge against drug consumption as part of awareness initiatives. He also discussed the upcoming awareness programme scheduled to be held under his leadership at LB Stadium on June 12.
The Chief Minister assured the Governor that all the suggestions would be carefully considered and appropriate action would be taken.
According to the official release, the Chief Minister paid a courtesy visit to the Governor. Member of Parliament Vem Narender Reddy was also present during the meeting.
The Chief Minister is understood to have requested the Governor to approve the pending nominations of minorities welfare minister Mohammed Azharuddin and M. Kodandaram to the Telangana Legislative Council.
The Chief Minister's meeting with the Governor came a day after Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy called on the Governor.
According to Lok Bhavan, they discussed administrative and legal matters related to the state.
It has been nearly six months since Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister. He is not a member of the Legislative Assembly or the Council.
Azharuddin, who was sworn in as a minister on October 31, 2025, is constitutionally required to get elected to either the Assembly or the Council by April 30, 2026, to continue in the Cabinet.
The Telangana Cabinet had recommended the names of Azharuddin and Kodandaram for nomination to the Council under the Governor's quota on August 30, 2025. The Governor has not yet approved the file.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally! A much-needed initiative. Our youth are the future, and we must protect them from this menace. Starting with awareness at the admission stage itself is a brilliant idea. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
While the intention is good, I'm skeptical. Will a pledge stop someone who is determined or peer-pressured? Feels like a formality. The article also mentions pending nominations... seems like the real meeting was about other politics.
As a parent, I welcome any measure that reinforces positive values. But education should be engaging - maybe workshops, talks by reformed addicts, and more sports facilities to keep students positively engaged are just as important.
Good step by the Governor. But sir, please also clear the pending files for the MLC nominations. Governance should be timely. Our ministers need to be able to function fully for the state's development.
Awareness is key! 👏 Many students don't even realize how one experiment can ruin their life and their family's dreams. A pledge at admission creates a sense of seriousness and personal responsibility from day one.
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