Addressing the gathered crowd, Revanth Reddy pitched the initiative as a continuation of the Congress’s legacy of working to improve the lives of the poor.
Published Jul 14, 2025 | 9:23 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2025 | 9:23 PM
Telangana begins distributing new ration cards
Synopsis: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday launched the distribution of over 5.6 lakh new ration cards at a public meeting in Thirumalagiri, Suryapet district, bringing the total number of ration card-holding households in the state to 95.56 lakh, covering more than 3.09 crore people. Addressing the gathering, Reddy described the ration card as a symbol of dignity for the poor and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to inclusive governance.
The Congress-led Telangana government on Sunday, 13 July, began issuing over 5.61 lakh new ration cards across the state, with the official launch taking place at a public meeting in Thirumalagiri, Tungathurthi constituency, Suryapet district.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy presided over the event, joined by Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, and other senior Congress leaders. Revanth and Uttam Kumar handed over ration cards to several women as a symbolic start to the drive.
With this initiative, the total number of ration card-holding households in Telangana is expected to reach over 95.56 lakh, covering more than 3.09 crore people.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Revanth Reddy pitched the initiative as a continuation of the Congress’s legacy of working to improve the lives of the poor.
“In Indiramma’s kingdom, we gave ration rice to the poor so that they would be prosperous… A ration card is not just a document, it’s the self-respect of the poor,” he said.
The chief minister highlighted the historical significance of Tungathurthi and Nalgonda, known for their role in the armed peasant struggle.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that the history of Nalgonda is the history of Telangana,” he said, crediting the Congress party for major irrigation projects like Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, and the Musi project.
Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy described the move as a “revolution in public service delivery.”
“This is a new Telangana. If you’re eligible, you will get a ration card: no bribes, no brokers, no waiting lists. No questions asked,” he declared.
“We are restoring the dignity of our people and ending a decade of discrimination.”
He noted that the drive marked the end of an 11-year wait for thousands of eligible families. With this, the total number of ration card-holding households in the state is expected to reach 95.56 lakh, covering over 3.09 crore people.
“No other state in India has issued over 5.6 lakh ration cards in a single phase. This is a national record,” he added.
Highlighting the state’s food security efforts, Uttam said Telangana is now the first state in the world to provide 6 kg of fine rice per person to 80 percent of its population for free.
“This is not an election promise. This is a moral commitment,” he said. “We are feeding our people with dignity, with quality, and without conditions.”
He also pointed out that the government was spending ₹13,000 crore annually to procure and distribute fine-quality rice, and was supporting farmers with a ₹500-per-quintal bonus for cultivating fine paddy.
“From food security to farmer support, Telangana is showing the way forward. This is an unbeatable model of governance – not just for India, but for the world,” Uttam said.
Meanwhile, the chief minister launched a scathing attack on the previous BRS government for failing to deliver on key promises.
“Why didn’t Godavari water come in the 10 years of their rule?” he asked. “Someone says they’ll bring it in three days – it’s not soda in a glass!” he added, taking a dig at former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.
Revanth said that despite being in power for a decade, the BRS had failed to provide MRO offices or extend basic services like ration cards to eligible citizens.
Listing the current administration’s measures, he cited the distribution of 5.6 lakh new ration cards, rice to over 3.10 crore people, a ₹500 bonus for farmers, ₹21,000 crore in farm loan waivers benefiting 25 lakh farmers, and ₹9,000 crore deposited in farmer accounts under the Rythu Bharosa scheme.
“Agriculture was not a festival; we made it a festival,” he said.
Revanth also underlined efforts to empower women, including free RTC bus travel, ₹21,000 crore in loans to self-help groups, and the distribution of two sarees to 65 lakh women.
He further criticised the beleaguered Kaleshwaram Lif Irrigation project, referring to it as “Kuleshwaram,” and challenged the opposition to a debate comparing it with irrigation projects developed under Congress governments.
Revanth concluded with a roadmap for the future, promising to make Telangana a USD 1 trillion economy and to uphold 42 percent BC reservations in upcoming local body elections.
“The Congress flag will fly over Telangana from 2024 to 2034,” he said, asserting that the party could decimate the BRS in Nalgonda.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
