CM to launch Telangana smart ration card distribution at Sangareddy on August 15
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will launch the smart ration card distribution across Telangana at a public programme in Sangareddy on August 15.
Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced the programme on Tuesday. He said simultaneous events would take place at all 33 district headquarters after the State-level launch.
The Minister reviewed preparations with senior officials, including Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra and Civil Supplies Corporation Director Rohit Singh.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also spoke with Sangareddy Collector Prateek Jain about arrangements for the Chief Minister’s visit.
Telangana currently has 1,06,28,092 Food Security Cards covering 3.43 crore beneficiaries. Each eligible beneficiary receives six kg of fine rice free every month.
The Minister directed officials to complete all arrangements well before August 15. He asked authorities to ensure that beneficiaries face no inconvenience during the programmes.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said officials must plan beneficiary movement, seating, security and card distribution carefully at Sangareddy. He also ordered them to prepare a minute-to-minute schedule.
The proposed public programme will run from about 2.30 pm to 3.35 pm. The Chief Minister’s departure from Sangareddy will take place around 3.45 pm.
Therefore, the Minister asked officials to keep speeches and other proceedings strictly within the allotted time. He also directed them to invite MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other elected representatives with complete programme details.
Smart ration card distribution to cover 3.43 crore beneficiaries
Uttam Kumar Reddy asked officials to identify genuine beneficiaries from different sections for the Chief Minister’s presentation of smart ration cards.
Officials should prepare the cards in the prescribed laminated format. They must also organise the subsequent distribution in an orderly manner.
The Minister suggested distributing the cards through Fair Price Shops or agencies associated with the exercise. This would allow officials to authenticate beneficiary identities before handing over the cards.
He said the system would improve transparency and help prevent disputes during distribution.
The Civil Supplies Department will issue detailed guidelines to Collectors for programmes in the remaining districts. Uttam Kumar Reddy also asked officials to establish a clear expenditure framework for district-level arrangements.
The State government has issued 16,32,810 new Food Security Cards since January 26, 2025. These cards cover 61,08,544 beneficiaries.
As of August 2026, Telangana has 1,06,28,092 Food Security Cards. Together, they provide food-security coverage to 3.43 crore beneficiaries.
The smart cards will further improve transparency, efficiency and convenience in the public distribution system, the Minister said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the State spends around ₹14,000 crore every year on ration rice. It also spends nearly ₹20,000 crore on paddy procurement.
He called for extensive publicity through print, electronic and social media. Officials should use short videos, reels and other digital content to explain the card coverage and free fine-rice distribution.
The Minister directed officials to complete preparations before August 15. He also asked them to conduct the Sangareddy launch and district programmes in a disciplined and beneficiary-friendly manner.