Andhra Pradesh's Tech-Powered PDS Overhaul

Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the need for a revamped Public Distribution System to streamline ration delivery. He instructed the civil supplies officials to prevent rice recycling and address irregularities. New rice card services will now be offered on WhatsApp, aiming for efficient, inclusive service delivery statewide.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the state's civil supplies department to overhaul the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure seamless ration delivery.

During a review meeting, Naidu emphasized the importance of preventing ration rice recycling and eradicating any irregularities within the state's civil supplies operations. The Chief Minister stressed that there should be no lapses in delivery or monitoring, urging officials to address rice card data anomalies with immediate corrective actions.

Naidu also announced the launch of rice card-related services via WhatsApp under the 'Mana Mitra' platform, set to start on May 15, marking a move toward tech-enabled public service delivery. The state currently has over 1.4 crore rice cards and involves over 4.2 crore people. The deadline for completing the electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) process is set for June 30, with 23 lakh eligible individuals yet to comply. Recent procurement figures revealed that 50 lakh tonnes of paddy were procured during the Kharif and Rabi seasons, with payments exceeding Rs 11,200 crore.

(With inputs from agencies.)