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New Indian Express
3 days 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
4 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.
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
AP Cabinet nod for FPS to distribute ration from June 1, MDUs mode ends
VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat on Tuesday, decided to discontinue the delivery of rations through Mobile Dispensing Units (MDUs) and restore the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) system for the distribution of monthly rations to beneficiaries from June 1. However, doorstep delivery of rations will continue for beneficiaries of above 65 years of age and persons with disabilities. Disclosing the Cabinet's decisions to the media, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, accompanied by Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy, stated that IVRS feedback revealed 25% of beneficiaries were not receiving their rations. Additional complaints included: 26% of MDU operators charging inflated prices, a single MDU covering the area of three FPSs in 15 to 17 days, diversion of ration commodities (with 288 cases registered), and a shortage of MDU operators (570 vacancies). These issues led to the decision to discontinue the MDU system. The move is expected to save `353.81 crore for the State exchequer, Manohar said. Recalling the earlier system of distributing essential commodities through 29,000 FPSs, the Minister criticized the previous government for abolishing it in favour of the MDU model. To implement this system, the previous government spent Rs 1,860 crore on procuring 9,260 MDU vehicles, and an additional Rs 200 crore on a pilot project. However, the MDUs not only failed to benefit consumers but also facilitated rice smuggling, with approximately 200 cases registered against MDU operators. FP shop distribution system will curb PDS rice diversion: Min Although the operators claimed to deliver 93% of rations within three days, many consumers did not receive their goods properly. Each MDU vehicle receives a monthly payment of Rs 27,000 from the Corporation, yet 570 vans remain unaccounted for. Despite the hardships faced by beneficiaries, the government was spending Rs 385 crore annually on MDUs. Through FPSs, consumers can collect items at their convenience, Manohar noted. 'Therefore, from June 1, we will resume distribution through Fair Price Shops. This system will curb rice diversion. Additionally, FPSs will be enabled to sell other commodities as well,' he added.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ration supply through Fair Price Shops from June 1: Manohar
Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said that the State Cabinet has decided to supply rations exclusively through fair price shops in the State from June 1 onwards. Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the Minister said that the Cabinet had decided to provide ration supplies at the doorstep to those above 65 years of age, and physically challenged. It is a reversal of the previous YSRCP government's practice of supplying them through MDUs (Mobile Dispensing Units). In the past, rice and other essentials were distributed through 29,000 fair price shops. The previous YSRCP government dismantled the system under the pretext of introducing MDUs. Around ₹1,000 crore was wasted on procuring 9,260 mobile dispensing units. Beneficiaries had no platform to raise their grievances. An IVRS survey revealed that 30% of people weren't receiving rations. Once the vehicles took over, there was no accountability — it became unclear where the goods were going, he said. The Minister said that hundreds of criminal cases were filed against the MDU operators. A 'green channel' was allegedly created for illegal transport of rice. How can 9,000 vehicles cater to 29,000 shops? They fudged the numbers and diverted rice. The Civil Supplies Department was paying ₹27,000 per month per vehicle. 'After reviewing all aspects, we have decided to cancel this system,' he said, adding, 'From June 1, ration will be supplied only through fair price shops, which will remain open from the 1st to the 15th of every month. The Cabinet has also decided to hand over the 9,260 vehicles free of cost to eligible beneficiaries.' During the Cabinet meeting, it is learnt, the the Ministers expressed the opinion that ration vehicles are useful only on the day rice is distributed, and serve no real benefit otherwise. It was decided to take measures to deliver ration directly to the homes of the elderly and disabled. For all others, rice will henceforth be distributed only through fair price shops. Concerns were raised that ration distribution through vehicles is leading to opportunities for smuggling, resulting in misuse of the scheme. Ministers noted that ration shops allow beneficiaries to collect their goods at their convenience. There was also a discussion on whether cash transfers could be introduced in place of physical ration distribution, sources said.
