Nadendla Manohar, the Civil Supplies Minister of Andhra Pradesh, shared on Friday that the department will initiate the provision of ration to senior citizens and differently-abled individuals in the last five days ahead of each month. The decision was sounded out as a measure to facilitate an easier doorstep delivery service to these groups. Consequently, the ration provisions for the upcoming month would be delivered between the 26th and 30th of the current month.
Manohar highlighted that the home delivery system has successfully been of help to about 13 lakh aged and differently-abled individuals, translating to an accomplishment of a significant 83 percent coverage. Across the 29,796 fair price shops in operation, an overwhelming 1.3 crore beneficiaries have successfully obtained their ration supplies from the total pool of 1.46 crore cardholders in Andhra Pradesh.
The minister revealed that the department has executed over 89 percent of the ration distribution within the first fortnight of June. Manohar emphasised the importance of an active role of dealers in tribal and remote regions, urging them to display ration calendars and QR codes for feedback purposes outside every fair price shop.
Manohar placed considerable importance on the maintenance of cleanliness in these shops. Additionally, he underscored the necessity for efforts to boost dealer earnings in alliance with the central government. This would contribute to a consistent and transparent supply chain management that can meet the needs of every individual dependent on this service.
In the spirit of improving the service quality, the minister suggested that dealers could act as a vinculum between the community and the government. By promptly reporting supply issues and offering competitive quality services, they have the potential to significantly enhance customer satisfaction.
Manohar expounded on the government’s vision of transitioning towards a paperless administration. To align with these changes, he stressed that dealers need to be prepared to adopt latest technology to streamline their operations and bring further transparency to the ration delivery system.
Speaking on the timings, Manohar declared that ration distributions are scheduled from 8 am to noon and then from 4 pm to 8 pm during the first 15 days of every month throughout the state. This set schedule helps ensure that the beneficiaries are able to plan their days accordingly and make the process smooth and efficient.
Moreover, the minister’s directions extended to rice millers, urging them to motivate farmers in producing fine grain rice in the Kharif season. This advice aligns with the current public need as well as creates new avenues for the export market, potentially boosting the state’s economy.
“It is crucial that millers consolidate their efforts to guarantee profitable outcomes for the farmers and preserve the government’s image,” Manohar stated. He emphasized the need for millers to adapt their strategy, not only considering domestic consumption but also bearing the potential for rice exports in mind.
The minister elaborated further on the government’s efforts in promoting the intake of fine rice, underlining the importance of aligning with the dietary preferences of the state’s population. This marks a focused shift towards fulfilling the dietary needs of the citizens while maintaining the standard of exports.
In this strategic plan, rice millers are posed to play an instrumental role. Encouraging farmers to adapt to this change in crop preference is imperative. This collaborative effort in shifting towards the production of fine grain rice could bring about not only enhanced economic outcomes but also health benefits for the citizens.
In the concluding remarks, Manohar reiterated the crucial role of the millers to support farmers in this transition. With a balanced focus on domestic consumption and keeping rice exports in mind, the agriculture and economy of Andhra Pradesh has the potential to flourish significantly.