Vijayawada: Phase-5 of free ration distribution from today

Vijayawada: All set for the fifth phase distribution of free ration to 1.47 crore white ration card holders across the state through 29,620 ration shops from May 29.

The civil supplies department has made arrangements for the distribution of ration till June 12 in staggered timings. Ration dealers are asked to take steps for maintenance of physical distance in the shops in view of Covid-19.

Village and ward volunteers distribute the ration slips with timing to visit the shop to prevent rush at the shops and help observation of physical distance by beneficiaries.

Five kg rice for each person with a maximum limit of 20 kg for a family and one kg red gram will be distributed free of cost.

This is the fifth phase of ration distribution since the lock down began in the last week of March.

Ration dealers and consumers have accustomed to wearing masks, maintaining physical distance in queues and using sanitisers to check the spread of disease. Unlike the earlier phases, distribution of goods will be done on the basis of biometric verification this time.

On the other hand, the civil supplies department is taking measures to pay the balance amount of commission to the dealers in 10 days.

AP Ration Dealers Welfare Association president M Venkata Rao, honorary president B Venkateswara Ro, working president V Krishna Das, general secretary P Chitti Babu and others met civil supplies minister Kodali Sri Venkateswara Rao alias Nani on Thursday and requested him to clear the pending commission.

Responding to their plea, the minister said instructions were issued to the officials concerned to pay the commission in 10 days.

He assured that he would take the issue to the notice of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and resolve their pending problems.