Hyderabad to Begin Verification for New Ration Cards from January 16
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is set to begin the verification process for new ration cards. This field-level verification will take place over five days, starting from January 16. Telangana State BC Welfare Minister and Hyderabad In-Charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced that beneficiaries for the new ration cards would be identified during this process.
The Minister explained that data collection will occur between January 16 and 20, and the identified beneficiaries’ details will be entered starting January 21. The new ration cards are expected to be issued from January 26. Speaking during a meeting at the GHMC head office with Hyderabad district officials, he clarified that eligibility rules previously established would be followed for issuing the cards. He also assured that families who migrated to Hyderabad from other districts would be included in this initiative.
Ponnam Prabhakar emphasized that the Congress government has not introduced any new criteria for ration card eligibility. He also mentioned that applications for both new ration cards and the Indiramma housing scheme would be accepted. Under the housing scheme, priority will be given to those who own land in Hyderabad to help them build houses.
The Minister added that the government plans to complete the construction of double-bedroom houses initiated by the previous administration. Discussions with contractors will be held to expedite the process. Once completed, these 2BHK houses will be allocated to beneficiaries through a lottery system. He further noted that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has instructed District Collectors to ensure that individuals do not possess ration cards in multiple locations.
Details of 18.32 lakh individuals, identified through the Indiramma app, have already been shared with districts. The poorest of the poor will be prioritized for housing benefits. In the first phase of the scheme, 3,500 houses have been sanctioned for each Assembly constituency.
According to Ponnam Prabhakar, over 10 lakh applications were received in Hyderabad for public welfare programs. Of these, 50% have been surveyed, and it was found that 9,913 applicants already own houses. He also highlighted other government initiatives, including 200 units of free electricity, a Rs 2 lakh loan waiver, free bus travel for women, and an increase in Aarogyasri health insurance coverage to Rs 10 lakh.
The meeting was attended by Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, Deputy Mayor Srilata Shobhan Reddy, GHMC Commissioner K Ilambarithi, District Collector Anudeep Durishetty, Rajya Sabha Member Anil Kumar Yadav, Khairtabad MLA Danan Nagender, MLC Balmoori Venkat, and other officials.
