The Telangana state government will begin issuing new ration cards on January 26, Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced, on Sunday, January 12. The announcement came after a meeting with officials in Hyderabad. To identify eligible beneficiaries, verification will be conducted at the field level from January 16 to 20. Data collection will follow from January 21, with new ration cards being issued starting January 26.
Prabhakar, who is also the in-charge minister for Hyderabad, said the Congress government will follow existing eligibility criteria for issuing ration cards. He said no new criteria have been established. He also said families who have migrated to Hyderabad from other districts will be eligible for ration cards.
The government aims to ensure a fair and just process, rising above political considerations, Prabhakar said. Applications for new ration cards and Indiramma houses will be accepted simultaneously. Priority under the Indiramma housing scheme will be given to those who own land in Hyderabad. The government also plans to complete double-bedroom houses initiated by the previous government, with allotment through a draw of lots.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has instructed district collectors to ensure that individuals do not hold multiple ration cards. The chief minister also announced that the lists of beneficiaries for both Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa and ration cards will be displayed in gram sabhas. The chief minister said his government's goal is to build houses for all homeless families.
The issuance of new ration cards is part of a larger initiative by the government to launch four schemes on January 26. These include Rythu Bharosa, providing crop investment support of Rs 12,000 per acre to farmers, and Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa, offering financial assistance of Rs 12,000 annually to landless poor laborer families.