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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Ensure effective implementation of guarantee schemes that draw national, international attention: Mehroz Khan
Saying that the State government's five guarantee schemes are being lauded nationally and internationally, S.R. Mehroz Khan, vice-chairperson of the Karnataka State Guarantees' Implementation Authority, urged officials to ensure that the schemes are effectively implemented. Chairing a review meeting on the progress of the schemes in Bidar on Tuesday, he highlighted the importance of efficient execution to maintain the credibility and success of the schemes. 'Karnataka's guarantee schemes, implemented at an annual cost of ₹52,000 crore, have empowered the economically weaker sections. Bidar district had achieved a remarkable 98% implementation rate. These schemes have helped the poor and middle-class families to establish small businesses and lead self-reliant lives,' he said. Emphasising the importance of outreach, Mr. Khan instructed officials to launch special awareness campaigns in colleges and among young people to promote the Yuva Nidhi scheme. He also directed transport authorities to ensure that school and college buses operate on schedule and stop appropriately to avoid inconvenience to students. In the light of recent reported cases on the smuggling of Anna Bhagya scheme rice, Mr. Khan warned fair price shops, entrusted with the responsibility of distributing the rice to beneficiaries, of stringent legal action, apart from cancelling their licences and blacklisting them. Providing implementation statistics, Mr. Khan said that, as of May, 3,74,323 women from a total of 3,81,970 ration card-holding families in Bidar have registered under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. A cumulative amount of ₹1,197.64 crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries. Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, a total of 13,13,305 beneficiaries have benefited from an expenditure of ₹333.28 crore. From July 2023 to January 2025, the cash equivalent of 5 kg of rice was transferred. From February 2025 onwards, beneficiaries have been receiving 10 kg of rice. Mr. Khan urged the Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure that this rice is not illegally diverted. Regarding the Yuva Nidhi scheme, Mr. Khan stated that 10,489 youth have registered in Bidar district, with a total of ₹15.98 crore disbursed to them. He also mentioned that 3,49,588 beneficiaries have been covered under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, with ₹327.69 crore spent. Speaking about the Shakti scheme, Mr. Khan noted that from June 11, 2023, to May 31, 2025, 8.15 crore trips were made, with an average of 1.3 lakh women travelling daily. This has resulted in an expenditure of ₹233.27 crore. Daily revenue from all passengers has averaged ₹32.4 lakh. 'Overall, Bidar district has recorded a total of 8,01,86,364 beneficiaries across all five guarantee schemes, with an aggregate expenditure of ₹2,107.86 crore so far. I appeal to all officials to continue their sincere efforts in delivering these benefits effectively and to ensure that citizens are made fully aware of the schemes available to them,' he said.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh HC seeks explanation on MDU system cancellation
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the State government to explain its decision to cancel the Mobile Dispensing Unit (MDU) system for doorstep ration delivery, following the issuance of Government Order 5 on May 23. Notices were issued to the Principal Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the Commissioner, and the Managing Director of the Civil Supplies Corporation, among others, to file a detailed counter. The hearing was adjourned for four weeks. The petition was filed by Taneti Ramakrishna, Mangalagiri Dhananjaya Kumar, Guttam Raju Suban Singh, and J Trinath from Rajamahendravaram, challenging the abrupt cancellation of MDU system. Their counsel Regulagadda Venkatesh argued that the system, introduced by the previous government, provided livelihood to many youths who took bank loans to purchase vehicles for ration delivery. Operators earned Rs 21,000 monthly. The sudden cancellation of the MDU system has left operators jobless, struggling to repay loans, and without alternative livelihood or compensation. The petitioners, who have no political affiliations, urged the court to stay GO 5.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Cabinet meet: UP Govt sets aside Rs 179.42 cr to boost ration delivery
The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday approved Rs 179.42 crore to give a fillip to the ration delivery system under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The funding aims at enhancing the operations across the supply chain — from procurement to delivery and interstate coordination in order to improve the efficiency of the Food and Civil Supplies Department. According to the government, as part of the NFSA, eligible beneficiaries are being identified and issued ration cards. To date, over 3.16 crore household ration cards and 40.73 lakh Antyodaya ration cards have been distributed, covering more than 1.29 crore people under the Antyodaya scheme. The ongoing identification campaign aims at ensuring that no eligible individual is left out, a statement said. For the 2025–26 fiscal, funding has been allocated with a 50-50 contribution from both the central and state governments. The aim is to make the Public Distribution System (PDS) more transparent, efficient, and inclusive, ensuring timely delivery of quality food items to beneficiaries. The scope of this scheme includes inter-state transportation, storage, loading and unloading, and distribution of ration to fair price shops. The allocated funds would be utilised to strengthen the food storage infrastructure and supply chain, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted distribution of food at every level, the statement said. The implementation of this initiative will be closely monitored by the Commissioner of the Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure transparency and effective delivery to genuine beneficiaries. The government has issued strict directives to prevent duplication of past financial approvals and to allocate funds based on quarterly needs. To curb fraud and ensure authenticity in ration distribution, the government has introduced e-KYC and Aadhaar-based verification systems. Ration cardholders now have the convenience of completing e-KYC at any fair price shop across the country. The use of e-POS (electronic Point of Sale) machines are being used to ensure transparency in the distribution process. These devices ensure that food grains are delivered directly to the rightful beneficiaries, making the system more efficient and reliable. This digital transformation is enabling timely distribution of ration, the statement said. Under the scheme, eligible household cardholders are provided with 5 kg of food grains per unit—comprising 2 kg of wheat and 3 kg of rice—free of cost. Antyodaya card holders receive 14 kg of wheat and 21 kg of rice, totaling 35 kg, in one go. The Food and Civil Supplies Department claims that at present, nearly 15 crore people are being benefited through the scheme across Uttar Pradesh. With over 1.29 crore Antyodaya cardholders, the government is targeting the state's poorest families.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ceasefire or not, Delhi gears up for emergencies with readiness push
The Delhi government on Saturday continued its push towards preparing the national capital for any contingencies, with chief minister Rekha Gupta urging departments to enhance coordination and readiness even as tension between India and Pakistan appeared to have de-escalated by evening following a ceasefire announcement. Hours before the ceasefire was declared, Gupta chaired a high-level review meeting with heads of major departments and instructed them to remain on alert, stressing that Delhi must be equipped for all emergencies — regardless of how the geopolitical situation unfolds. 'The government's priority is to ensure the safety of every citizen and the uninterrupted availability of essential services,' Gupta said in a statement after the meeting. 'All departments must adopt a coordinated, active strategy to respond swiftly in case of any emergency.' Officials present at the meeting said that while the immediate threat appeared to have been abated, the administration had no plans to scale back its preparedness, especially as there were reports of ceasefire violations by Saturday night. 'We are treating this as a long-term necessity,' said a senior government official. 'Preparedness cannot be reactive. The goal is to ensure we're always ahead of the curve.' Hospitals have been asked to maintain stockpiles of medicines and consumables, activate electrical backups for ICUs, and cancel all leaves for medical and paramedical staff. The Food and Civil Supplies Department was instructed to monitor inventory at ration shops and maintain steady petroleum and LPG reserves. Officials were told to safeguard supply chains and ensure that logistics do not falter even under duress. Meanwhile, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been tasked with ensuring uninterrupted water supply by deploying water tankers and securing power backups at all pumping stations and the power department was directed to prepare for outages and ensure critical services are never without electricity. In a marked emphasis on evacuation planning, Gupta directed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to finalise protocols for emergency mobility, including route maps, fleet management plans, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safe relocation of people from high-risk zones. The Delhi Fire Services were placed on high alert and asked to coordinate with police and the revenue department to respond to fires, explosions or structural damage during potential emergencies. The education department was told to prepare schools and college campuses to function as temporary shelters, with logistical support from District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs). Delhi currently has 170,000 registered Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs), up from 50,000 before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the revenue department has been asked to mobilise them in coordination with the 11 revenue districts, 33 zones, and 162 divisions they are organised into. Emergency shelters are being identified, and CDVs may be deployed to assist in relief operations. Food and civil supplies minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reassured residents that there was no cause for alarm. 'People should avoid panic buying. There is no shortage of essential commodities. Everything is under control,' he said. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta are fully committed to safeguarding public welfare and ensuring all needs are met.' Even with a ceasefire in place, officials say the next few days will be used to test systems, check redundancies, and close logistical gaps. 'Being prepared is not about fear,' said the senior official. 'It's about responsibility.'
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ludhiana district administration intensifies crackdown on hoarding of essential commodities
LUDHIANA: Following directives from Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain , the Food and Civil Supplies Department launched "extensive inspections" across fuel stations, ration shops, and retail establishments selling essential daily-use commodities to curb hoarding and black marketing . "Specialised teams, formed at the sub-divisional level, are conducting rigorous checks to monitor supply chains and prevent unethical practices. These teams are mandated to submit daily reports to ensure continuous oversight", an official statement by the district administration said. Deputy Commissioner Jain highlighted that certain traders and stockists were engaging in unethical stockpiling of critical items, including food, fuel, dairy products, fodder, and other essentials. Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list Such practices may lead to artificial price hikes and supply shortages. Jain also urged citizens to report instances of hoarding or black marketing by contacting the authorities at 0161-2403100 or the emergency helpline 112. He assured that strict action would be taken against violators to safeguard public access to essential goods at fair prices.
