“Free Fine Rice Scheme: Telangana Bears ₹8,033 Cr for 3.1 Cr Beneficiaries, State Gives More Than Centre”

Free Fine Rice Scheme a Grand Success, Says Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy

Hyderabad, April 10: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday declared the Congress-led Telangana government’s Free Fine Rice Scheme a historic success, calling it a landmark in India’s welfare initiatives.

Addressing a video conference with MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and Corporation Chairpersons from Jala Soudha, he said the scheme would benefit nearly 3.10 crore people — around 84% of Telangana’s population — providing 6 kg of fine rice per person every month. He emphasized that while the Centre provides only 5 kg of coarse rice, the Telangana government is spending over ₹13,000 crore annually to distribute higher-quality fine rice, preferred by families.

“The Centre is supplying rice in limited quantities and of lower quality. It is the Congress government that is bearing the cost and responsibility of this transformative welfare programme,” he asserted. Launched on March 30 by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in Huzurnagar, the scheme is being implemented statewide through the Civil Supplies Department.

Dismissing opposition claims of a rice shortage, Uttam Reddy said there was no scarcity of fine rice, and the government was fully prepared to meet the increased demand. He accused the BRS of spreading misinformation and urged Congress leaders to counter the propaganda by engaging directly with beneficiaries.

The Minister stated that 30 lakh metric tonnes of fine rice would be distributed annually under the scheme. The State’s share of expenditure will rise to ₹8,033 crore, up from the current ₹5,175 crore, due to the expansion of beneficiaries. So far, around 30 lakh new ration card applications have been received and are under verification. Eligible families will be issued Tricolour Cards (BPL) and Green Cards (APL).

Uttam Kumar Reddy also highlighted the record-breaking paddy production in Telangana during 2024–25, noting it as the highest ever in both Telangana and undivided Andhra Pradesh.

• Kharif (Vanakalam) cultivation: 66.78 lakh acres
• Kharif production: 153.5 lakh metric tonnes
• Rabi (Yasangi) cultivation: 56.49 lakh acres
• Rabi production: 127.5 lakh metric tonnes
• Total paddy output: 281 lakh metric tonnes

Despite the Kaleshwaram project being non-operational, he said the government supported farmers with bonuses of ₹500 per quintal during the Kharif season, disbursing ₹1,199 crore to 4.41 lakh farmers. Last year, over ₹11,000 crore was spent on paddy procurement.

The Minister announced the sanctioning of 8,209 procurement centres across Telangana, with 2,573 centres already functional. He instructed district collectors to open more centres as required and strictly adhere to quality norms—rejecting paddy with over 17% moisture and penalizing millers providing more than 25% broken rice.

Calling the scheme a “model for food security, dignity, and farmer welfare,” Uttam Kumar Reddy urged elected representatives to oversee its implementation, spread awareness, and ensure no household is left out. With municipal elections in Hyderabad next month, he asked leaders to prioritize outreach throughout April.

“This scheme is a matter of collective pride for Telangana. In my decades of public service, I have never seen such a large-scale and impactful programme,” he concluded.