Hyderabad: The Telangana state government is getting ready to launch the ‘Fine Rice’ distribution scheme for all white ration card holders. Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that a large public meeting will be held in the Huzurnagar assembly area. During this event, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will officially start the scheme on the Ugadi festival, which falls on March 30.
Speaking to the media on Friday, the Minister said that about 85% of the state’s population will receive high-quality rice at a low cost through fair price shops. He also mentioned that the government is planning to include other essential items like pulses, sugar, and salt in the distribution in the near future.
Minister Uttam explained that the government has not yet decided whether to include Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo on the new ration cards. These new cards will be issued soon, and around 90 lakh cardholders — covering about 2.85 crore people — will benefit from the fine rice scheme starting in April. He added that 30 lakh new ration cards will be issued with QR codes, and confirmed that there will be no chips in the cards.
The Minister further shared that a new system will be introduced that allows ration card holders to use their cards at any fair price shop across the state. The combined cost of the rice distribution scheme, supported by both the state and central governments, is Rs 10,665 crore.
