Hyderabad, March 29: Elaborate arrangements have been made in Huzurnagar for the grand launch of the Telangana government’s ambitious free fine rice distribution scheme, set to be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on the auspicious occasion of Ugadi on Sunday.
Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy personally reviewed the preparations on Saturday at the Rajiv Gandhi Grounds in Huzurnagar, which will serve as the central venue for the launch. He inspected the stage, public arrangements, and logistical readiness for the mega public meeting that will follow the formal inauguration.
Ahead of the launch, the Minister undertook a whirlwind tour of the Huzurnagar and Kodad constituencies, holding a series of coordination meetings with Congress leaders and cadres. The objective was to ensure seamless execution of the event and mobilise public participation to mark what he described as a “historic occasion.” He said the scheme, aimed at ensuring food security for nearly 84% of the State’s population, marks a historic shift in public welfare and is being introduced for the first time in the country.
Speaking during the review meetings, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the launch of the fine rice scheme was not just a government programme but a revolutionary welfare initiative that would have far-reaching impacts on the lives of the poor and middle-class families. He said the Congress government in Telangana had taken up the implementation of this scheme with strong political will and administrative commitment.
He called upon Congress workers and local leaders to make every household aware of the benefits of the scheme and ensure that every eligible beneficiary participates in the launch event. “Every citizen should feel they are part of this historic moment,” he said.
Underlining the importance of the scheme, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Telangana had become the first state in India to introduce such a large-scale food security initiative, fulfilling the long-standing vision of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. “She always dreamt of ensuring food security for the poor, and the Revanth Reddy Government is now turning that dream into reality,” he said.
The minister emphasised that over 3.10 crore beneficiaries – covering around 84% of the State’s population – would benefit from the scheme. In preparation for this, the government procured 24 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 4.41 lakh farmers during the Kharif season, encouraging the cultivation of fine rice by offering a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal. A total of Rs 1,199 crore has been paid to farmers as bonuses, he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy explained that the decision to launch this scheme was made after extensive studies revealed widespread public dissatisfaction with coarse rice, which often went unused or was resold.
At present, Telangana has 89.73 lakh white ration cards covering 2.8 crore people, and following the government’s announcement to issue cards to all eligible families, 30 lakh new applications have been received. With the inclusion of new beneficiaries, the total number is expected to rise to 3.10 crore.
He further informed that the new ration cards will be issued shortly. While white cards will retain the tricolour design, Above Poverty Line (APL) cards will be issued in green.
The minister also revealed that the government plans to expand the scope of fair price shops by supplying other essential commodities in addition to rice. To support the fair price shop dealers, the government is actively considering a hike in their commission to ensure sustainable livelihoods.
Calling the scheme a landmark in India’s welfare history, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Telangana was setting a precedent for other states by placing food security at the heart of its governance. (Maxim News)
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