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New Indian Express
35 minutes ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
FPS meant to supply ration to all card holders: Minister
Rajamahendravaram: The coalition government is committed to ensuring that welfare schemes reach every eligible beneficiary in a satisfactory and timely manner, said Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography, Kandula Durgesh. Speaking at Sathivada village in Undrajavaram mandal on Sunday, where he inaugurated the distribution of essential commodities through fair price shops, the minister announced that the Mobile Dispensing Units (MDUs) have been scrapped and ration distribution is being reintroduced through traditional ration shops. He stated that this decision was made after recognising the hardships people faced under the MDU system. 'From now on, poor families will receive uninterrupted access to essential commodities. Ration goods will be available for 15 days each month through fair price shops. Special arrangements are being made to deliver supplies to the homes of persons with disabilities and the elderly aged above 65,' he said. The minister added that the government has launched this statewide initiative as a prestigious mission. He criticised the previous government for policy failures that disrupted the regular supply of rations to the poor, pointing out that MDU vans delivered ration goods only to limited points, forcing the elderly and the differently abled to struggle for access. 'This issue was seriously discussed in the Cabinet, leading to the decision to restore fair price shops. The Opposition is trying to mislead people with misinformation on this reform,' Durgesh said. He assured that issues surrounding ration card issuance are being addressed and that beneficiaries can now make corrections or modifications to their cards. He urged cooperation from officials, the public, and ration dealers to ensure the success of the new system. Strict action will be taken against dealers who misuse the rice meant for distribution, he warned. He also promised that the concerns of ration dealers would be resolved quickly and announced the establishment of a new stock point at Tanuku for dealers in Undrajavaram and Peravali mandals. The minister said that of the 3.4 lakh metric tonnes of paddy approved for procurement across East Godavari district, 1.2 lakh metric tonnes were procured from Nidamarru constituency alone. He said that high yields in some areas have left surplus paddy, prompting discussions with Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar to procure an additional 10,000 metric tonnes. Banking guarantee norms have also been eased for millers, he added. Despite his state wide ministerial responsibilities, Durgesh affirmed his continuous efforts to address local issues. He promised to remain accessible through the camp offices in Rajamahendravaram and Nidadavolu. Speaking at the event, district joint collector S Chinna Ramudu said that ration goods will be distributed to 5,64,994 cardholders through 870 fair price shops across the district. Former MLA and newly appointed Chairman of State Skill Development Corporation Burugupalli Sesharao, RDO Rani Susmitha, and Civil Supplies Officer MRR Prem Kumar also participated in the programme.
