HYDERABAD: Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday announced that the Telangana government will launch the Fine Rice Distribution Scheme on March 30, terming it the largest-ever food security initiative in independent India. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will inaugurate the scheme on the occasion of Ugadi.
Under the scheme, nearly 84% of Telangana’s population will receive fine-quality rice free of cost through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Each individual will be entitled to 6 kilograms of fine rice per month. The initiative aims to replace inedible coarse grains previously distributed through ration shops with nutritious and edible rice.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said the decision was taken by the Chief Minister, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and the state Cabinet to ensure the poor have access to quality food. He described it as a historic milestone in India’s welfare journey after Independence.
The announcement was made during the minister’s reply to the discussion on the Demands for Grants for the Civil Supplies Department on the final day of debate on the Telangana Budget 2025–26.
He stated that Telangana currently supplies 24 lakh metric tonnes of rice through the PDS, but admitted to systemic deficiencies. He noted that 80–90% of the coarse rice previously supplied was not edible, leading to its widespread rejection by beneficiaries. As a result, nearly 80% of PDS beneficiaries were not consuming the rationed rice, which led to large-scale diversion and misuse of government supplies worth ₹7,000–8,000 crore annually. “It had almost turned into a mafia,” the minister said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the current government made it a top priority to reform the system and ensure the poor have dignified access to food. “We are proud to introduce a scheme of this magnitude for the first time in independent India,” he said.
The state currently has 89.8 lakh ration cards, and recent drives have added new family members to many of these cards. “All such members will be included in the PDS,” he said. New ration cards will be issued starting April, but those whose applications are under process will still receive rice in the interim.
He also announced the introduction of a portable ration system, allowing cardholders to collect their entitlements from any ration shop across Telangana. “If your card is from Sirpur, you can still draw your rice in Hyderabad,” he said.
To support ration dealers, the government has increased their commission and is planning to introduce other essential commodities at ration shops to improve their income.
Uttam Kumar Reddy invited constructive suggestions from Assembly members, stating the government’s mission is to ensure that “the poor eat well with dignity.”
