Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Civil Supplies, Food, and Consumer Affairs, Nadendla Manohar, announced significant reforms to the Public Distribution System (PDS) on Saturday. These crucial changes are designed to drastically cut down on the diversion and illegal smuggling of ration supplies. The new measures include advanced GPS tracking, state-of-the-art AI surveillance in warehouses, and more rigorous inspections across the supply chain.
During his interaction with students at Westin College, as part of their 15th “Coffee and Conversation” series, Minister Manohar detailed several exciting upcoming initiatives. These include Aadhaar-based authentication to verify beneficiaries, efficient e-POS systems for transparent transactions, public dashboards for real-time monitoring, dedicated WhatsApp grievance centers for quick resolution, and thorough independent audits. He emphasized that these reforms go beyond just welfare; they are about guaranteeing that essential benefits reach the poor and farmers directly, transforming PDS into a beacon of dignity, justice, and unwavering trust.
The Minister also took the opportunity to share his philosophy on effective leadership with the attentive students. For him, true leadership involves inspiring individuals with a clear vision, readily accepting responsibility, ensuring complete transparency, striving for measurable results, and upholding the highest standards of ethical accountability. He stressed the importance of courage—the ability to calmly face criticism, maintain composure under intense pressure, and always draw strength from one’s core convictions.
Acknowledging the inevitable challenges of public service, he remarked that failures are an inherent part of the journey. However, it is an unwavering commitment to society and the profound trust of the people that fuel perseverance. He highlighted the necessity of leading by example, clearly articulating the purpose behind reforms, recognizing the valuable contributions of all involved, and motivating teams by illustrating the tangible societal impact of their work. Drawing a parallel, he noted that his background in sports instilled in him discipline, perseverance, and resilience—qualities that continue to steer his dedication to public service.
In addition to his address, Mr. Manohar celebrated the success of Westin College students by presenting international placement visas to 50 individuals who secured positions at prestigious hotels in Dubai and New Zealand. He also extended his congratulations to the college management for their remarkable achievement in facilitating over 13,000 international job opportunities for their students.
The event was attended by Westin College Director Durga Prasad, Principal Chandrasekhar, various faculty members, and other distinguished guests.