CM Revanth urges Centre to consider nationwide supply of fine rice in ration shops
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy asked the Union government to examine the feasibility of nationwide fine rice distribution during a breakfast meeting with Union Minister Prahlad Joshi at Hotel Taj Krishna on Thursday. He said Telangana remained the only state supplying fine rice through ration shops and added that welfare reached its purpose only when people received the rice they actually consumed. Moreover, he urged the Centre to study the state’s model and consider adopting it across India.
Revanth Reddy explained that Telangana’s ration supply improved significantly after the introduction of fine rice. He noted that the state shifted to this model to provide better nutrition and higher-quality food grains to eligible beneficiaries. Additionally, he said the system helped families access the rice variety they preferred instead of lower-grade options distributed earlier.
Nationwide fine rice distribution under Centre’s consideration
The nationwide fine rice request received a positive response from Minister Prahlad Joshi. He said the Centre would carry out a detailed assessment before taking a decision. Furthermore, he acknowledged the importance of aligning welfare schemes with regional dietary preferences. Joshi stated that officials would evaluate cost, logistics and the potential benefits to beneficiaries.
Senior state officials, including Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Seshadri and Civil Supplies Principal Secretary Stephen Ravindra, took part in the meeting. They discussed procurement standards, storage capacities and the impact of quality grain distribution on nutrition levels among low-income households.
Telangana’s fine rice model strengthens welfare delivery
The nationwide fine rice proposal drew attention to Telangana’s ongoing ration reforms. Since April 1, the state has been supplying fine rice to all ration card beneficiaries. Each eligible individual receives six kilograms of fine rice. The government introduced the reform to replace coarse rice and improve nutritional outcomes for low-income families. Moreover, officials said the shift aligned with public demand for better-quality grain.
Revanth Reddy said the initiative demonstrated the state’s commitment to strengthening welfare delivery. He mentioned that transparent procurement and strict quality checks helped maintain consistency in distribution. Additionally, he reiterated that the state would continue refining its welfare programmes to match people’s needs.