The Human Rights Forum (HRF) expresses deep concern over the Andhra Pradesh government’s recent dismantling of the doorstep delivery system for public distribution of rations. This move will severely undermine the food security of Adivasi communities, particularly those in remote and interior villages of the State.
Introduced in 2021, the doorstep delivery model ensured rations were handed over directly to beneficiaries through mobile dispensing units (MDUs), even in remote habitations. This dramatically reduced the travel burden for the elderly, persons with disabilities and daily wage workers. In Adivasi areas – especially among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) such as the Chenchus resident in Nallamala forests – this system was a critical step towards accessible welfare delivery.
Following the rollback, multiple media reports from the Agency and areas abutting it have highlighted growing distress. At several places, Adivasis are now forced to walk up to 10 kilometers across difficult terrain to access rations. Consequently, many of them are having to forgo their entitlements altogether because of a clear logistical and financial burden.
The State government’s claim that beneficiaries were missing rations under the doorstep system does not align with evidence on the ground. In fact, a field survey by LibTech India, a policy research organisation, covering 790 Adivasi respondents in the Paderu ITDA region of Alluri Sitharamaraju district found that 83 per cent preferred the doorstep delivery system over the depot system for collecting rations. Notably, 92 per cent stated that it had reduced travel distance. While 75 per cent of respondents said under-delivery was a recurring issue at depots, 65 per cent experienced coercion to purchase additional items.
Clearly, for many Adivasi families’ resident in remote areas, the doorstep system removed significant travel barriers to access ration supplies.
The doorstep delivery system also allowed flexibility. If a household missed the first MDU visit, they could collect their ration from the mini truck parked later at the local secretariat. In some instances, the trucks returned again within the month. However, instead of strengthening these mechanisms, the present government has chosen to abandon them entirely.
HRF believes that a dual-access model – with MDUs as the primary channel and depot-based backup access for those who miss the truck – could have been sustained. This is especially feasible in the Adivasi areas, where PDS depots are largely operated by the Tribal Welfare Department thereby offering a unique opportunity to the State to create a more responsive and accessible system.
The recent rollback appears to have been driven by a powerful lobby of ration depot dealers who felt threatened by the transparency and accountability introduced by the MDU system. The current decision subverts the core objectives of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, in particular Section 30, and also violates the spirit behind the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) funds that aims to ensure targeted and equitable delivery of welfare services to the Scheduled Tribes.
HRF demands immediate restoration of the doorstep ration delivery system across all Adivasi areas, with a provision for depot access to those who miss the MDU. The door delivery model must be strengthened through improved logistics, volunteer support and robust grievance redress mechanisms.
Food security is not merely about ensuring availability of rations. It is about dignified and guaranteed access, especially for those living on the margins. The State has a Constitutional and moral imperative to remove, not reinforce, structural obstacles to basic entitlements. Rolling back the doorstep delivery system is not only regressive but is a wilful act of exclusion that disproportionately burdens and harms Adivasis. It must be immediately reversed.
Y Rajesh – HRF AP State General Secretary,
VS Krishna – HRF AP&TG Coordination Committee Member.
12-06-2025,
Visakhapatnam.