We have investigated the specific heat of hole-doped vanadium oxides Y1-xCaxVO3 (0 <= x <= 0.11), Pr1-xCaxVO3 (0 <= x <= 0.3) and Nd1-xSrxVO3 (0 <= x <= 0.2) probably for the first time by applying the Modified Rigid ion model (MRIM). The results obtained on temperature dependent (1 K <= T <= 300 K) specific heat are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental data. The impact of lattice distortions on the elastic and thermal properties of the present Mott insulators is portrayed by an atomistic approach. The scope of further improvement in the present model has also been discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.