Andhra Pradesh schools to receive fine quality rice

The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Nadendla Manohar, announced plans to provide fine quality rice for school midday meals starting next academic year. The rice will be packed in boxes at five logistics points across the state and sent directly to schools. Manohar highlighted efforts to ensure that the meals are nutritious. He stated that the Civil Supplies Department is taking steps to prevent theft during distribution. The minister also mentioned the Deepam-2 scheme, which is expected to benefit over one crore families by offering three free gas cylinders each. He noted that the payment of ₹1,674 crore owed to farmers for paddy purchases from 2019 to 2024 was made within a month of the current government's term. This move is seen as a significant achievement for the ruling coalition. Manohar explained improvements in the paddy procurement process, stating it was organized better than during the previous administration. Farmers now have the freedom to sell their produce more easily, thanks to a WhatsApp channel that was created. The government has been successful in tracking paddy movement using GPS devices and ensuring transparency in storage with AI-enabled cameras. Manohar also expressed concern about a recent case of rice smuggling from Kakinada Port, emphasizing that such actions compromise food security for the poor.