The Andhra Pradesh cabinet, headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on Tuesday decided to scrap the practice of door delivery of essential commodities to consumers under the public distribution system and re-introduce fair price shops to disburse the commodities from June 1.
Feedback Reveals Gaps in MDU Distribution System
Following the cabinet meeting, state civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar informed that it was decided to end the existing procedure of supplying ration commodities via Mobile Dispensing Units (MDUs) introduced by the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime.
“The decision was taken after obtaining the feedback from the consumers through a survey. It was revealed that 25% of ration card-holders did not receive essential commodities, and another 26% consumers complained that MDU operators were charging higher prices,” he told reporters.
He reported that there were other working deficiencies in the distribution of commodities via MDUs, including diversion of commodities, inability to cover entire areas and shortage of manpower to operate MDUs.
₹353.81 Crore Saved, Fair Price Shops to Return from June 1 in Andhra Pradesh
“The scrapping of the scheme will save the government ₹353.81 crore. So, starting June 1, the government will reintroduce 29,000 fair price shops that were existing earlier,” he said, adding that door-delivery of commodities would be done only in case of senior citizens and to persons with disabilities.
Manohar stated that the earlier government had bought 9,260 MDUs at ₹1,860 crore, and another ₹200 crore was spent on a pilot project. “Beneficiaries who had received vans under the SC, ST, BC, EBC and other welfare corporations and had already paid 10% of the cost of the vehicle will get full ownership of such vans free,” he added.
Andhra Pradesh Signs MoUs with IBM, TCS, L&T for Quantum Valley Project
State information and public relations minister K Parthasarathy announced that the state cabinet approved three distinct Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) entered into between the state government and global IT majors IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for establishing the “Quantum Valley” project at Amaravati.
“Backed by these technology giants, Andhra Pradesh aims to position itself as India’s leader in advanced technology. The project is expected to nurture cutting-edge innovation, attract world-class talent and create high-quality employment opportunities for the youth of the state. Through strategic partnerships and forward-looking leadership, the state government intends to foster state-of-the-art breakthroughs and build a robust future-ready economy,” he said.
₹9,246 Crore Investment Approved, 7,766 Jobs to be Created
The recommendations of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) for investment proposals of five firms – Deccan Fine Chemicals, Bharat Electronics Ltd, PUR Energy Pvt Ltd, Blue Jet Healthcare Ltd and Jupiter Renewables Pvt Ltd – were approved by the cabinet.
“These projects, totalling ₹9,246 crore, are expected to create around 7,766 jobs. The state will allocate land and provide necessary infrastructure such as roads, industrial water, and energy,” the minister said.
Green Signal for Bhogapuram Airport, Renewable Energy Projects
The cabinet also accorded the green signal to divert 500 acres of land for the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport.
It also sanctioned several renewable energy and bioenergy projects to be set up in different regions of the state such as Eluru, YSR Kadapa, Anantapur and Sri Satya Sai districts. It also resolved to allocate 41.00 acres of land at YSR Kadapa district for a 1,000 MW pumped storage hydro power project and (₹2.09 crore), and another 12.87 acres at Sri Sathya Sai district for a 500 MW hydro project (₹64.35 lakh) to be established by Adani Green Energy Ltd.
The cabinet also approved the setting up of India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) under the Bar Council of India Trust in Amaravati and relocation of headquarters of Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University from Hyderabad to Rajamahendravaram.
