DC Impact I Civil Supplies to Open 66 Sub-Depots in Hills of ASR District

Visakhapatnam: People of the hilly and remote regions in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, which has 671 ration depots, have faced serious challenges in collecting their rations.

Villagers of these areas have had to trek long distances to collect their government-allotted rations. Deccan Chronicle has repeatedly highlighted the need for more localised ration supply points.

Responding to the difficulties being faced, particularly the tribal people, Civil Supplies divisional manager V. Mohan told DC that 66 sub-ration depots have been sanctioned for ASR district. These sub-depots will be established in villages that have road connectivity. People living in the hilly regions can access the nearest of these sub-ration depots, the officer pointed out.

However, tribal activists are continuing to express their concerns regarding the effectiveness of this initiative. Unlike regular depots that operate for 15 days, the sub-depots will function for only 2–3 days in a month.

CPM leader K. Govinda Raju said this limited operating window will not significantly reduce the burden on tribal communities. Tribal associations have echoed these concerns, arguing that the sub-depots are insufficient. They do not meet the needs of hilltop villages that lack road access. They maintain that without a comprehensive plan to ensure consistent and equitable distribution, insecurity within tribal people with regard to their ration will continue to persist.

Activists have suggested that the government expand coverage of ration distribution by using GCC centres, increase the number of operational days, and prioritise last-mile delivery in inaccessible regions to ensure food security for all tribal households in the ASR district.