Latest news with #MDUs
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HRF demands immediate restoration of doorstep delivery of rations in tribal areas
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has raised serious concern over the State government's decision to dismantle the doorstep delivery system for distribution of rations. According to Y. Rajesh, HRF AP State general secretary, and V.S. Krishna, HRF AP& Telangana Coordination Committee member, it a setback to the food security of the Adivasi communities. Introduced in 2021, the doorstep delivery model ensured rations were handed over directly to beneficiaries through mobile dispensing units (MDUs), even in remote habitations. This reduced the travel burden for the elderly, persons with disabilities and daily wage workers. In Adivasi areas - especially among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) such as the Chenchus resident in Nallamala forests - this system was a critical step towards ensuring ensuring they were able to access the welfare delivery. At several places, Adivasis are now forced to walk up to 10 km across difficult terrain to access rations. Consequently, many of them are having to forgo their rations altogether because of a clear logistical and financial burden. The State government's claim that beneficiaries were missing rations under the doorstep system is in contrast to evidence on the ground. A field survey by LibTech India, a policy research organisation, covering 790 Adivasi respondents in the Paderu ITDA region of Alluri Sitharamaraju district found that 83% preferred the doorstep delivery system over the depot system for collecting rations. Notably, 92% stated that it had reduced travel distance. While 75% of respondents said that under-delivery was a recurring issue at depots, 65% experienced coercion to purchase additional items. Clearly, for many Adivasi families' residing in remote areas, the doorstep system removed significant travel barriers to access ration supplies. The doorstep delivery system also allowed flexibility. If a household missed the first MDU visit, they could collect their ration from the mini-truck parked later at the local secretariat. In some instances, the trucks returned again within the month. However, instead of strengthening these mechanisms, the present government has chosen to abandon them entirely. The HRF leaders allege that the recent rollback appears to have been driven by a powerful lobby of ration depot dealers who felt threatened by the transparency and accountability introduced by the MDU system. The current decision subverts the core objectives of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, in particular Section 30, and also violates the spirit behind the Scheduled Tribe Componen t(STC) funds that aim to ensure targeted and equitable delivery of welfare services to the Scheduled Tribes. They demanded the immediate restoration of the doorstep ration delivery system across all Adivasi areas, with a provision for depot access to those who miss the MDU. The door delivery model must be strengthened through improved logistics, volunteer support and robust grievance redressal mechanisms.
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Minister Lokesh hails revamped ration distribution system
VIJAYAWADA: HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh lauded the newly launched ration distribution system by Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, calling it a progressive and people-centric initiative that reflects the coalition government's commitment to food security. In a social media post on X, Lokesh congratulated the minister for initiating ration distribution through fair price shops (FPS) in a festive and organised manner, which he said aligned with public expectations. He said the shift from mobile dispensing units (MDUs) to shop-based distribution was a major success from day one. 'While an average of 11 lakh people received ration on the first day under the previous government, 18.87 lakh families received ration on Sunday alone,' Lokesh highlighted, emphasising that the new policy eliminates the uncertainty and inconvenience of waiting for mobile ration vehicles. 'This is a testament to the TDP-led NDA government's resolve to improve service delivery and dignity for the marginalised,' Lokesh added. Lokesh challenges Jagan over URSA allegations HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday issued an open challenge to YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, demanding proof for allegations that land in Visakhapatnam was sold to URSA Clusters for just `1 per acre. In a post on X, Lokesh said he would resign from his ministerial post if the allegations are proven true. At the same time, he demanded that Jagan apologise to the State's youth if the claims are false. Refuting the charges, Lokesh clarified that land was allotted at significantly higher rates — 3.5 acres in IT Park Hill-3 were sold at `1 crore per acre, while 56.36 acres in Kapuluppada were allocated at `50 lakh per acre.
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
People with physical disabilities to get ration at doorstep in Andhra Pradesh
ONGOLE: The State government has resumed distribution of ration goods through Fair Price (FP) shops, replacing the earlier system of doorstep delivery via Mobile Distribution Units (MDUs). Vice Chairman and MD of AP Civil Supplies Corporation Dr Manazir Jilani Samun said the new system will operate from 8 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm from the 1st to 15th of every month. Speaking after inspecting FP shops at Ongole's Santhapet and Annavarappadu areas on Sunday, Dr Samun said only senior citizens above 65 and the physically disabled will continue to receive doorstep delivery. He also announced that Ragi and Jowar would be added to the distribution list from next month. Social Welfare Minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy relaunched the initiative at Turpu Naidupalem village in Kondapi Assembly segment. He said the government aims to ensure efficient and transparent delivery of essentials and eliminate irregularities in the Public Distribution System (PDS). 'Rice and sugar are currently being supplied, and in future, all essentials will be made available through FP shops,' he said.
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra ration shops set to become ‘Mini Malls', may start selling variety of millets soon
KAKINADA: Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar announced that ration shops across the state will soon be converted into 'Mini Malls' in collaboration with the Central Government. These upgraded outlets will offer not just rice, but also a variety of nutritious millets such as finger millets (ragulu), pearl millets (sajjalu), Sorghum ( jonna), and foxtail millet (korralu), aimed at improving public health. Minister Nadendla Manohar formally launched the statewide resumption of Fair Price (FP) shops at Gandhi Bomma Centre in Pithapuram on Sunday, marking a major shift in the state's public distribution system (PDS). The revamped system is expected to save the state Rs 385 crore annually while enhancing transparency, flexibility, and accessibility. Speaking on the occasion, Manohar announced that 29,761 FP shops will now distribute goods worth Rs 1.46 crore every month. Beneficiaries can collect their rations from any shop, regardless of their rice card linkage. Shops will operate daily from 8 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm, including Sundays, from 1st to 15th of every month. The minister criticized the previous YSRCP government for scrapping shop-based delivery under the guise of door-to-door service, alleging that it led to corruption and misuse of Rs 1,650 crore. He said 9,260 Mobile Dispensing Units (MDUs) were misused for rice smuggling, and that even idle vehicles were falsely shown as delivering rations.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Jagan flays CM for stopping MDUs
Tadepalli: Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lambasted the coalition government for its anti-people policies and stalling the rice door delivery system which was like a boon to the poor and providing employment to weaker sections. Taking to social media posts on X, he said Chandrababu Naidu has been showing vindictive attitude towards the operators of Mobile Dispensing Units (MDUs) who were delivering the ration at the doorstep of the poor. He said, the operators numbering over 20,000 belong to BC, SC, ST and minorities and winding up the door delivery system affects them and their families badly. He asked if it was fair to do away with this system - harming the operators on one hand and making uncharitable remarks by describing them as 'smugglers and mafia' on the other? They were serving people even during the times of calamities and floods. He recalled that before YSRCP has come to power, people have faced numerous difficulties in procuring ration and other government welfare schemes He said daily wage earners bore the brunt as they did not know when the ration would be given and how much and they had to forego their work to get ration from the shops. He said they faced discrimination and insults in the process as the measure and quality were inferior and some of them were forced to give up taking ration even. He recalled that YSRCP government has introduced the door delivery of quality rice through vehicles in a transparent manner and checked malpractices. Now stopping the door delivery system, which was acclaimed nationwide, is nothing but opening the doors for irregularities and cheating the poor.
