Latest news with #CivilSuppliesandConsumerAffairs
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Manohar launches supply of ration through fair price shops
Pithapuram: In an effort to ensure transparency and curb irregularities in the public distribution system (PDS), the Andhra Pradesh government has reintroduced the distribution of essential commodities through fair price shops, announced Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Nadendla Manohar. Speaking to the media after launching the ration distribution at a PDS outlet in Pithapuram town on Sunday, the Minister highlighted the government's commitment to revamping the ration system for the benefit of the people. The State government has taken steps to distribute essential commodities to 1.46 crore families through a network of 29,761 ration shops across Andhra Pradesh, he said. Beneficiaries are now allowed to collect their ration supplies from any nearby shop, not just the one linked to their ration card, he added. He said that this will offer greater convenience and flexibility. Minister Manohar accused the previous government of misusing nearly ₹1,700 crore of public funds under the guise of doorstep delivery of rations. In contrast, he claimed the current government's revitalisation of ration shops is expected to save Rs385 crore in public funds. Ration shops will now remain open from the 1st to the 15th of every month, operating in two shifts 8 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm allowing beneficiaries to collect their supplies at their convenience. For 15.6 lakh specially identified beneficiaries, including the elderly above 65 years and differently-abled persons, home delivery will be ensured by the 5th of each month. To streamline this service, dedicated WhatsApp groups have been formed to monitor deliveries. Dealers have been instructed to upload delivery photos in real time, and any discrepancies in weight or denial of services will result in strict action. Dealers are also advised to ensure the proper functioning of ePoS and weighing machines and to arrange alternate methods in case of tenical issues. The Minister also explained that a new mobile application is being developed to provide real-time updates and transparency in the distribution process. For quick grievance redressal, QR codes are being installed at every ration shop to allow beneficiaries to directly contact higher officials. Minister Manohar stated that soon after the new government assumed office, it took firm steps to curb the ration mafia. Tight security has been deployed at ports like Kakinada and Visakhapatnam to prevent illegal rice smuggling to other States. He further revealed that those involved in smuggling activities have been booked under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act, with security tightened at all ports across the State. This initiative marks a significant move toward restoring integrity and efficiency in the State's public distribution system. Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Nanaji, Former MLAs SVSN Varma, Pendem Dorababu and others participated in the programme.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Ration distribution programme inaugurated
Kakinada: Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Nadendla Manohar has announced that fair price shops will be developed as 'mini-malls' in future with the support of both the central and state governments. Speaking at the inauguration of the ration distribution programme at a fair price shop in Vakalapudi village of Kakinada Rural constituency, the minister said that arrangements are being made to supply millets such as ragi, jowar, bajra, and Korra in addition to rice, keeping public health in mind. Minister Manohar personally handed over ration supplies at the home of an elderly beneficiary Krishnasetty Gopal. He later addressed a public gathering, stating that around 8.15 lakh families across the state received ration supplies through 29,761 ration shops on Sunday morning. The minister said that the distribution of essentials through ration shops has long been a strong and transparent system, which had been damaged by the previous YSRCP government. He criticised the Mobile Dispensing Units (MDUs), saying their schedules were unclear and lacked proper records, and alleged that false claims were made about distributing 93% of ration in a single day. Manohar assured that the current coalition government is working to restore the dignity of ration dealers and urged them to serve the people with commitment. He also directed that price boards, stock boards, and informative posters be prominently displayed in all fair price shops. QR code scanners will soon be installed at ration depots to enable the public to report issues directly to officials. Minister Manohar mentioned that the government had purchased Rs 12,400 crore worth of paddy unmatched by any other state, and credited payments to the accounts of nearly 8 lakh farmers within 24 hours. 'Even before farmers return from the mills, money is being credited to their bank accounts,' he stated. He also noted that pensions are being distributed door-to-door from the first day of the month and stressed the Rs 894 crore allocation for providing a second LPG cylinder to women under the Deepam scheme. Civil Supplies Commissioner Saurabh Gaur stated that the government is collecting real-time data every 10 minutes regarding ration distribution from shops. He promised that technical glitches would soon be addressed and advised dealers to maintain courteous and respectful behaviour with the public. Joint collector Rahul Meena said efforts are underway to ensure timely and transparent distribution of essential commodities across 1,060 ration shops in 21 mandals of Kakinada district. Kakinada Rural MLA Pantam Nanaji, Government Whip in the Legislative Council Pidugu Hariprasad, DCCB Chairman Tummala Ramaswamy, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Thota Sudheer, former minister Chikkala Ramachandra Rao, former MLA Pendem Dorababu, and APSIDC Chairman Vegulla Leelakrishna participated in this programme. Earlier in the day, Minister Nadendla Manohar inaugurated the ration distribution programme at a fair price shop in the 18th ward of Pithapuram, represented by Deputy Chief Minister Konidela Pawan Kalyan. The event was attended by District Collector S Shan Mohan, DCCB Chairman Tummala Ramaswamy, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Thota Sudheer, former Pithapuram MLAs SVSN Varma and Pendem Dorababu, as well as Jana Sena party in-charge Marreddy Srinivas and other local leaders.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
24,795 fair price shops begin distribution of commodities in Andhra Pradesh
Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Nadendla Manohar on Sunday claimed that an annual expenditure of ₹385 crore could be saved by reviving the fair price shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Manohar launched the distribution of commodities through fair price shops in Pithapuram town in Kakinada district, marking the revival of the fair price shops across the State on Sunday. 'The distribution of commodities has kicked-started at 24,795 fair price shops of the total 29,761 shops on Sunday. As many as 1.46 crore families can get their ration from any fair price shop across the State,' said Mr. Manohar. The Civil Supplies Department will deliver the commodities at the doorstep of 15.6 lakh elderly people and the physically-challenged before the 5th of every month. The fair price shops will have to be open from 1st to to 15th of every month. 'All the fair price shops will soon be brought under the vigil of the CC camera surveillance system and QR code will be made available at the shops for the beneficiaries to register complaints,' he said. Civil Supplies Department Commissioner Sourabh Gaur, Kakinada district Collector S. Shan Mohan, erstwhile East Godavari District Central Cooperative Bank Chairman Tummala Ramaswamy, Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Nanaji, and Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Thota Sudheer were among those present.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Andhra Pradesh resumes ration delivery at fair price shops
The TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday resumed delivery of essential commodities at fair price shops, replacing the supply through Mobile Dispensing Units (MDUs). State ministers launched the programme at various places. Essential commodities, like rice, sugar and pulses, will be delivered at 29,796 fair price shops across the state. Differently abled and citizens above 65 years will continue to get the essentials at their doorsteps. Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Nadendla Manohar launched the distribution of essential commodities through the Fair Price Shop (FPS) in Peethapuram. In his remarks on the occasion, he said beneficiaries no longer need to wait for MDUs or skip work anymore and can collect their rations at their convenience. Under the revamped system, ration card holders can collect their entitlements from any ration shop in the state. The ration shops will be open for the first 15 days of every month from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shops will remain open on Sundays during the distribution period. Manohar said the government would further strengthen the public distribution system. CCTV cameras will be installed at ration shops and customers will be provided with all facilities. "We have also put up a QR code at every ration shop. If consumers want to file a complaint, they can scan it directly and share their problems. We will take action against dealers if the shop does not open on time or if there is any discrepancy in weight or quality," he said. The department has created a separate WhatsApp group for the differently abled and the elderly, he said, adding that dealers have to post a photo of themselves going to their homes and giving them rations. The state Cabinet last month decided to restore the delivery of essentials through fair price shops, replacing supply through MDUs, which was introduced by the previous government of the YSR Congress Party. The coalition government alleged that the public distribution system was mismanaged under YSRCP rule. It accused the previous government of spending Rs 1,600 crore on MDUs, which failed to serve the people effectively. However, YSR Congress President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy lashed out at the coalition government for doing away with the ration supply through MDUs. He asked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu why he was against the services being delivered to the people at their homes. In a post on 'X on Sunday, he asked Naidu why he was bringing hardship to the poor again. "Is it a vision to end the door delivery system of government services?" he asked. He alleged that BC, SC, ST and minority families relying on 9,260 ration vehicles have been thrown on the road. "Does this government have any humanity? Is it right to remove these vehicles that provide services to people at their doorsteps in a transparent manner and serve them more during floods and disasters,' he asked. Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that before the YSRCP government came to power, the poor had to face many hardships in getting their monthly rations, including the right to food security. They would stand in long queues in front of ration shops under the hot sun or rain. He alleged that the beneficiaries faced discrimination and humiliation and were exploited.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
At 74.95 LMT, highest wheat procurement in Haryana in 4 years
According to government sources, 74.95 lakh metric tonnes (MT) wheat has been procured so far in Haryana this year. The procurement in the state is being done by four agencies, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, HAFED, Haryana Warehousing Corporation, and the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The data is from April 1 to May 14, 2025, by various procurement agencies. Out of the total, 72.90 lakh metric tonnes have been purchased for the centre and 2.05 lakh metric tonnes for the PDS, officials said. So far, 73.03 lakh metric tonnes of wheat have already been lifted in the state, which is nearly 97.40%, they added. According to Haryana's e-Kharid portal of Food and Civil Supplies Department, Sirsa tops the state with nearly 8 lakh MT wheat purchase, followed by Karnal, Jind, Kaithal and Fatehabad. Similarly, 100% lifting has been achieved at Karnal, Kurukshetra, Gurugram and Faridabad. Over a month after wheat procurement officially started in Haryana, the state agencies during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season 2025–26 have managed to procure 74.95 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of the crop, just near the set target of 75 lakh MT this year, figures show. So far, wheat has been procured from 4,68,636 farmers at the minimum support price (MSP) fixed at ₹2,425 per quintal and a total payment of ₹16,462.70 crore has been directly transferred to their bank accounts, an official statement read. Sharing year-wise figures, a government spokesperson said that 41.85 lakh MT wheat was procured in 2022-23, 63.17 lakh MT in 2023-24, 71.50 lakh MT in 2024-25 and 74.95 lakh MT has been procured so far this year, which is the highest in the last four years. 'Compared to last year, there has been an increase of 3.45 lakh MT in wheat procurement. Besides this, wheat was procured from 4,56,606 farmers last year, this time wheat has been procured from 4,68,636 farmers,' the spokesperson added. In March ahead of procurement, Haryana had set a target to procure 75 lakh MT wheat of the total production of about 116.24 lakh MT. According to the agriculture department, wheat was sown in an area of over 24.63 lakh hectares. The spokesperson further said that mustard procurement for Rabi season 2025–26 took place from March 15 to May 1, 2025, by HAFED and the Haryana Warehousing Corporation. As of May 14, 7.74 lakh MT of mustard has been lifted by the procurement agencies in the state. The state government has procured mustard from 2,59,400 farmers, and payments totaling ₹4,312.52 crore have been directly transferred to their accounts, the spokesperson said.
