HYDERABAD: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday asserted that the Congress-led Telangana government deserves full credit for the transformational rollout of the Free Fine Rice Scheme, calling it a “landmark moment in India’s welfare history.”
Addressing a video conference from Jala Soudha with MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and Corporation Chairmen, the Minister stated that nearly 3.10 crore people -approximately 84 percent of the state’s population – would benefit from the initiative. Dismissing criticism from the BJP and BRS, he clarified that while the Centre provides only 5 kg of coarse rice in limited quantities, the Telangana government is supplying 6 kg of superior-quality fine rice per beneficiary by spending over ₹13,000 crore annually.
Launched on March 30 by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy from Huzurnagar on the occasion of Ugadi, the scheme is being implemented across the state by the Civil Supplies Department. “This is undoubtedly a Congress government programme. The Centre contributes only for coarse rice, but the fine rice—preferred by families—is procured and distributed by the State,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
Describing it as a matter of pride and a true expression of social justice, the Minister said this is the largest welfare food programme in independent India. He added that studies showed coarse rice was often left unused or sold in black markets, prompting the shift to fine rice. “This is not just a policy change, it’s a transformational shift in welfare delivery,” he said.
The scheme will distribute 30 lakh metric tonnes of fine rice annually, costing ₹13,523 crore. Currently, both Centre and State together spend ₹10,665 crore on the public distribution system, with Telangana’s share expected to rise to ₹8,033 crore – an increase of ₹2,858 crore. The government has begun physical verification of new ration card applications to manage the expanded beneficiary base. Tricolour Cards will be issued to families below the poverty line, while those above will receive Green Cards.
Highlighting past neglect, the Minister said that Telangana had 89.73 lakh white ration cards at the time of state formation, but the BRS government added only 49,479 net new cards in ten years. In contrast, nearly 30 lakh new applications have already been received under the Congress government and are being processed to expand the scheme’s reach.
Responding to opposition claims of shortage, he assured that there would be no scarcity of fine rice in the state. He urged party leaders to take the message to every household, dine with poor beneficiaries, and counter the “misinformation campaign” by the BRS. He emphasised that officials must personally ensure no family is excluded.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also reported record-breaking agricultural production for 2024–25. During the Vanakalam (Kharif) season, paddy was cultivated on 66.78 lakh acres with a yield of 153.5 lakh metric tonnes. In Yasangi (Rabi), 56.49 lakh acres yielded 127.5 lakh metric tonnes—totaling a record 281 lakh metric tonnes across 123.27 lakh acres.
Despite the non-operational status of the Kaleshwaram project, this production milestone was achieved. During the Kharif season, the government procured 24 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 4.41 lakh farmers, paying a bonus of ₹500 per quintal—totalling ₹1,199 crore. In total, the government paid ₹12,511 crore under Minimum Support Price and another ₹1,300 crore in bonuses for the season.
He informed that 8,209 procurement centres had been sanctioned, with 2,573 already operational. District collectors have been empowered to open more as needed. Funds from the Civil Supplies Department are being allocated, with strict norms enforced regarding moisture content and broken rice levels.
Calling it a “model welfare scheme,” Uttam Kumar Reddy encouraged ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Corporation Chairmen to actively promote and monitor the programme, particularly with municipal elections approaching in Hyderabad. He urged leaders to focus on outreach during April and ensure distribution centres run smoothly.
“This is a proud moment for all of us. As a six-time MLA and Member of Parliament, I’ve never seen a programme of such scale and impact,” he concluded. “The Free Fine Rice Scheme marks a new era in public governance—one that upholds food security, dignity, and farmer empowerment.”
Today I conducted a VC with MPs/ MLCs/ MLAs & Corporation Chairmen and invited feedback on Sannabiyyam scheme and requested them to take active role in ensuring smooth paddy procurement in their constituencies. pic.twitter.com/7Vs2quDDdI
— Uttam Kumar Reddy (@UttamINC) April 10, 2025
