A delegation from the Kerala government, led by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, concluded a two-day study visit to Andhra Pradesh to examine the civil supplies system, private rice trade, paddy procurement and payment mechanisms with a view to adopting suitable practices in Kerala.

Andhra Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director V.M. Jaya Krishnan, Chairman Thota Sudheer and Kakinada Joint Collector Apoorva Bharat accompanied the delegation during its visit to the Lalitha brand factory and Pattabhi Agro Industries at Peddapuram on July 24, where the members observed rice processing and packaging operations.

“We studied the paddy procurement, payment, storage and distribution systems under the Public Distribution System in Kakinada district,” Mr. Jacob said. He noted that Kerala currently supplies 13 essential commodities through the Public Distribution System.

Mr. Jacob said the Kerala Civil Supplies Department would examine the findings of the study before taking steps to strengthen the implementation of the Public Distribution System in the State.

Published - July 25, 2026 07:19 pm IST