Latest news with #HRF
Hans India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Immediate continuation of doorstep delivery system for PDS sought
Visakhapatnam: Even as the Andhra Pradesh government decided to do away with the door delivery method of supplying essential commodities to beneficiaries under public distribution system (PDS) from June and restore the previous system of dispensing them through fair price shops, it did draw flak from various sections of society. However, the door delivery system was scrapped following a survey that indicated that a section of ration cardholders did not receive essential commodities, discrepancies in the supply mechanism, operational challenges, diversion of goods, lack of manpower to operate vehicles, etc., Expressing concern over the Andhra Pradesh government's recent scrapping of the doorstep delivery system for public distribution of rations, Human Rights Forum (HRF) representatives mentioned that the move will severely undermine the food security of Adivasi communities, particularly those in remote and interior villages of the state. 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 dramatically reduced the travel burden for the elderly, persons with disabilities and daily wage workers. In Adivasi areas, this system was a critical step towards accessible welfare delivery, especially among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), stressed HRF AP state general secretary Y Rajesh and AP and TG coordination committee member VS Krishna. At several places, Adivasis are now forced to walk up to 10-km across difficult terrain to access rations. The State government's claim that beneficiaries were missing rations under the doorstep system does not align with evidence on the ground, the HRF team pointed out. In fact, a field survey by LibTech India, a policy research organisation, covering 790 Adivasi respondents in the Paderu ITDA region of Alluri Sitarama Raju district found that 83 percent preferred the doorstep delivery system over the depot system for collecting rations. Notably, 92 per cent stated that it had reduced travel distance. While 75 per cent of respondents said under-delivery was a recurring issue at depots, 65 per cent experienced coercion to purchase additional items. Clearly, for many Adivasi families' resident in remote areas, the doorstep system removed significant travel barriers to access ration supplies, the HRF members emphasised. HRF opined that a dual-access model with MDUs as the primary channel and depot-based backup access for those who missed the truck could have been sustained. HRF demanded immediate restoration of the doorstep ration delivery system across all tribal 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, transparency and robust grievance redress mechanisms.
The Hindu
a day ago
- 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
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
HRF condemns Andhra govt's move to extend workday from 8 to 10 hrs
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has opposed the AP Cabinet's recent approval of the AP Factories Amendment Bill, 2025, which proposes to extend the workday to 10 hours. Terming the move as a serious threat to labour rights, HRF State General Secretary Y Rajesh and HRF member of the AP & Telangana Coordination Committee VS Krishna demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the proposed amendment. The amendment, which seeks to modify provisions under the Factories Act, 1948, has been described by the government as a reform aimed at improving business efficiency. However, HRF argued that the change undermines the progress made over decades through labour struggles for fair and humane working conditions. 'The eight-hour workday has long been a cornerstone of labour rights, not a gift from employers but the outcome of generations of working-class resistance,' the Forum stated. It recalled the role played by BR Ambedkar in shaping and institutionalising this right in the 1940s, and criticised the amendment as a rollback of this significant achievement. According to HRF, the language of 'ease of doing business' is increasingly being used to justify policies that erode labour protections.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
HRF condemns AP's10-hour workday bill
Visakhapatnam: The Human Rights Forum (HRF) condemned the recent assent by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet to the AP Factories Amendment Bill, 2025 that seeks to impose a 10-hour work day. This, the HRF representatives opine, is an irresponsible and deliberate assault on labour rights and dignity. 'We demand its immediate and unconditional withdrawal. This move, sought to be brought about through an amendment to The Factories Act, 1948, is no 'reform' but a grotesque regression. It is plainly exploitative and treats with contempt decades of labour struggles that have advocated for and attained a humane and sustainable work environment,' mentioned HRF AP state general secretary Y Rajesh and HRF AP and TG coordination committee member VS Krishna. These rights have a long and glorious history, wrested through generations of hard-fought battles led by the working class and progressive movements. The state government now seeks to dismantle these rights so as to benefit corporate interests, they pointed out. The eight-hour work day is the cornerstone of modern labour rights. The HRF recalled the historic legacy of BR Ambedkar who played a decisive role in institutionalising the eight-hour workday. This is now being sought to be rolled back. Extending the maximum daily working hours amounts to entrenching exploitation and a roll-back of hard-won labour safeguards. It normalises overwork, erodes the right to rest and leisure and strips away dignity from labour. This measure constitutes a fundamental breach of the government's constitutional obligations, they emphasised. HRF calls upon all democratic forces to oppose this devious move.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
HRF condemns AP's 10-hour workday bill
Visakhapatnam: The Human Rights Forum (HRF) condemned the recent assent by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet to the AP Factories Amendment Bill, 2025 that seeks to impose a 10-hour work day. This, the HRF representatives opine, is an irresponsible and deliberate assault on labour rights and dignity. 'We demand its immediate and unconditional withdrawal. This move, sought to be brought about through an amendment to The Factories Act, 1948, is no 'reform' but a grotesque regression. It is plainly exploitative and treats with contempt decades of labour struggles that have advocated for and attained a humane and sustainable work environment,' mentioned HRF AP state general secretary Y Rajesh and HRF AP and TG coordination committee member VS Krishna. These rights have a long and glorious history, wrested through generations of hard-fought battles led by the working class and progressive movements. The state government now seeks to dismantle these rights so as to benefit corporate interests, they pointed out. The eight-hour work day is the cornerstone of modern labour rights. The HRF recalled the historic legacy of BR Ambedkar who played a decisive role in institutionalising the eight-hour workday. This is now being sought to be rolled back. Extending the maximum daily working hours amounts to entrenching exploitation and a roll-back of hard-won labour safeguards. It normalises overwork, erodes the right to rest and leisure and strips away dignity from labour. This measure constitutes a fundamental breach of the government's constitutional obligations, they emphasised. HRF calls upon all democratic forcesto oppose this devious move.
