The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant step concerning new ration cards. It is set to issue new cards to eligible poor families across the state soon. Furthermore, the government is working on updating existing cards to accommodate changes and additions to family members. A decision on the ration card matters is anticipated in the upcoming cabinet meeting. The state is focusing on the issuance of new ration cards and resolving other issues within the Department of Civil Supplies. This process will involve family division, the addition or removal of family members, address changes, and the surrendering of old cards.
The government is set to decide on the distribution of ration supplies via vehicles in the state. This issue will be addressed in the cabinet meeting scheduled for the 10th of this month. Additionally, the government plans to fill 6,000 vacancies for ration dealers and establish over 4,000 new shops. Furthermore, the previous government had implemented a rule stating that families with a monthly income exceeding ₹12,000 in urban areas and ₹10,000 in rural areas would be ineligible for ration cards. This regulation led to the cancellation of ration cards for Anganwadi workers and employees of neighboring services throughout the state.
As a consequence of this regulation, families of Anganwadi workers and employees in adjacent services have become alienated from government programs. They have voiced their grievances, emphasizing that their low wages and the cancellation of ration cards have resulted in considerable financial strain. These workers are calling on the government to elevate the family income threshold and issue new cards. This matter is anticipated to be addressed in the forthcoming cabinet meeting for a resolution.
Since the coalition government took office, it has settled outstanding dues amounting to ₹1,674.40 crores for rice that the prior administration had neglected to pay. This sum was disbursed in two installments: ₹1,000 crores in the first round and ₹674.40 crores in the second, which has been transferred to the accounts of farmers.