Uttam Kumar Reddy hails free fine-rice scheme as landmark welfare initiative
Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy described the free fine-rice scheme as a landmark welfare initiative and said no other state has implemented a programme of similar scale.
Addressing Telangana State Formation Day celebrations in Suryapet after unfurling the National Flag on Tuesday, the minister said the free fine-rice scheme currently benefits nearly 3.20 crore people, covering about 85 per cent of Telangana’s population.
He said the programme has provided quality rice to poor families and strengthened food security across the state.
According to Uttam Kumar Reddy, the initiative is unique in the history of Telangana, the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh and the country.
The minister said the scheme has restored dignity to economically weaker families by providing the same quality rice consumed by affluent households.
In Suryapet district alone, officials distributed fine rice to more than 20.51 lakh beneficiaries during April, May and June. The programme involved expenditure of Rs.82.46 crore, he added.
Free fine-rice scheme reaches lakhs of beneficiaries
Highlighting government programmes, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Suryapet district recorded progress under the 99-Day Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika campaign.
He said the district achieved strong performance in health, agriculture, sanitation, education, women and child welfare, revenue administration, infrastructure and skill development.
The minister also said the government issued 46,587 new ration cards after a gap of nearly ten years. Suryapet district now has 3.70 lakh ration cards.
On paddy procurement, Uttam Kumar Reddy said officials procured 3.39 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 48,897 farmers through 313 centres. The procurement operation involved expenditure of Rs.810 crore.
Under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, the government deposited Rs.602.56 crore into the accounts of 5.79 lakh farmers during the Vanakalam and Yasangi seasons.
The minister said authorities also paid Rs.20.45 crore under Rythu Bima to nominees of 409 deceased farmers.
He highlighted welfare measures for women, households and students. According to Uttam Kumar Reddy, women completed 5.13 crore free bus journeys under the Mahalakshmi scheme, resulting in savings of Rs.307 crore.
He said 1.89 lakh households receive free electricity up to 200 units under the Griha Jyoti scheme. In addition, 1.60 lakh agricultural connections benefit from free power supply.
The minister also announced educational infrastructure projects. Young India Integrated Residential Schools have been sanctioned in Huzurnagar, Kodad and Thungathurthi at a cost of Rs.600 crore.
He further said authorities sanctioned a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Kodad at a cost of Rs.53 crore and a Government Agricultural College in Huzurnagar at a cost of Rs.124 crore.