The Andhra Pradesh government, led by the TDP-led NDA coalition, has resumed the distribution of essential commodities through Fair Price Shops (FPS), phasing out the Mobile Dispensing Unit (MDU) system introduced by the previous YSRCP administration. The move has sparked a political debate, drawing sharp criticism from former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On Sunday, state ministers officially relaunched the revamped public distribution system (PDS) at multiple locations across the state. A total of 29,796 Fair Price Shops will now serve as the primary outlets for distributing essential commodities such as rice, sugar, and pulses.
Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Nadendla Manohar inaugurated the initiative in Peethapuram, emphasizing convenience and accessibility for beneficiaries. “People no longer have to wait for MDUs or miss work. They can now collect their rations at a time that suits them,” Manohar said.
Key Features of the New System:
- Universal Access: Ration card holders can collect entitlements from any fair price shop in the state.
- Shop Hours: FPS outlets will operate for the first 15 days of each month from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., including Sundays.
- Doorstep Delivery: Senior citizens (65+) and persons with disabilities will continue to receive home delivery of rations.
- Transparency Measures: CCTV cameras will be installed at all FPS outlets. Each shop will display a QR code for customer feedback and complaints.
- Accountability: Dealers are required to share photos while delivering rations to differently abled and elderly beneficiaries via a dedicated WhatsApp group.
Minister Manohar also stated that the government is committed to strengthening the public distribution infrastructure and ensuring a transparent, people-friendly system.
Political Backlash and Criticism:
The decision to scrap MDUs has drawn fierce opposition from YSR Congress Party President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who accused the current government of rolling back a service that brought transparency and convenience.
Taking to social media platform X, Reddy questioned the rationale behind discontinuing home delivery of ration. “Is this Chandrababu Naidu’s vision — to end doorstep delivery of essential government services?” he wrote.
Reddy alleged that 9,260 ration vehicle drivers, mostly from BC, SC, ST, and minority communities, have lost their livelihoods due to the change. He further criticized the move as anti-poor, claiming the MDUs played a crucial role during natural disasters, including floods.
The former Chief Minister defended the MDU model, stating it alleviated the hardships faced by the underprivileged who previously had to stand in long queues, endure harsh weather, and face discrimination at ration shops.
Background:
The previous YSRCP government had introduced the MDU system with a reported expenditure of ₹1,600 crore, aiming to modernize the PDS and bring services directly to people’s doorsteps. However, the new administration claims the initiative was inefficient and mismanaged, justifying its replacement with the traditional FPS model.
The ongoing debate underscores the deep political divide over how best to deliver essential services, with both sides framing their approach as pro-poor and people-centric.
