Telangana to Distribute Fine Rice to All Ration Card Holders Starting January 2025
Hyderabad: N Uttam Kumar Reddy, the State Civil Supplies Minister, announced on Tuesday, November 5, that from January 2025, the Telangana government will begin distributing fine rice to all ration card holders across the state. This initiative is part of the state’s efforts to enhance the welfare of its citizens and ensure better-quality rice distribution.
Addressing a video conference with ministers, MLAs, MLCs, and officials, Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted the expected production of 150 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the 2024 Kharif season, with the state government planning to procure around 91 lakh tonnes. This includes 47 lakh tonnes of fine-grade rice and 44 lakh tonnes of other varieties. To support the procurement process, the government has allocated Rs 30,000 crore, with Rs 20,000 crore already released for immediate procurement.
A key feature of the procurement process is a Rs 500 per quintal bonus for fine paddy cultivators, which will be provided in addition to the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This historic initiative is expected to support over 10.15 lakh farmers in the upcoming season.
The state has set up 7,572 paddy procurement centres (PPCs) across 32 districts to facilitate the process, with 3,309 millers involved in milling operations. The millers are expected to produce a daily output of 60,246 metric tonnes of rice.
Minister Reddy also emphasized the importance of preparedness in the face of potential natural disruptions, such as unseasonal rains. He instructed DS Chauhan, Principal Secretary and Civil Supplies Commissioner, to ensure all officials are ready to address any challenges that may arise. “Delays or negligence will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he stressed.
To ensure the quality of rice, especially varieties like sannalu, which are sensitive to moisture, the procurement centres have been equipped with dryers and cleaners. This will help in preventing discolouration and broken grains, which could otherwise compromise quality.
Reddy also urged the officials to strictly adhere to the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms laid down by the Centre during the procurement process, ensuring that rice from other states does not enter Telangana, thus protecting local farmers.
In an optimistic development, DS Chauhan mentioned that Telangana rice is in high demand in states like Bihar and West Bengal, and has even attracted interest from international markets, with two to three countries looking to purchase Telangana rice on a government-to-government export basis. He added that the civil supplies department has shown significant improvements over the past 10 months, notably reducing its loan burden by Rs 11,537.40 crore.
This comprehensive approach reflects the Telangana government’s commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring the state’s food security while expanding its rice export prospects.
