Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Union Minister Questions Congress Over Photos on Telangana Ration Cards
A leader from India's central government is upset with the state government of Telangana.
The state made new smart cards that families use to get rice.
The cards have pictures of the state's chief minister and another minister.
The central leader says the pictures should not be there.
He says the central government pays for the rice, so the prime minister's picture should be on the cards instead.
He also thinks the cards cost too much money.
The leader plans to sing a famous national song with one lakh people at a big temple.
He has challenged leaders of another group to try to stop that event.
Many people are talking about whose picture should be printed on the cards.
Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar questioned the Telangana Congress government for printing photos of CM A Revanth Reddy and Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on smart PDS ration cards.
He asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo is not on the cards, saying the Centre provides rice to 57 lakh ration cards in Telangana.
Sanjay Kumar claimed about Rs 600 crore is being spent on the smart cards and cited Karnataka's Siddaramaiah photo as an example of the practice becoming outdated.
He announced plans to organise singing of Vande Mataram with one lakh people at the Bhagyalakshmi temple at Charminar and challenged AIMIM leaders to stall the programme.
CM Revanth Reddy launched the distribution of the smart PDS cards at Sangareddy town near Hyderabad on Saturday.
- Who
- Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised the Telangana Congress government, while CM A Revanth Reddy launched the smart card distribution.
- What
- A political dispute over printing photos of CM A Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on smart PDS ration cards.
- When
- Saturday, August 15 (report datelined Hyderabad, Aug 15).
- Where
- Hyderabad, Telangana; the smart card distribution was launched at Sangareddy town.
- Why
- Sanjay Kumar argued that since the Centre funds rice for 57 lakh ration cards, PM Modi's photo should appear instead of state leaders', and he claimed the cards cost about Rs 600 crore.
BJP / Union Minister's Viewpoint
Congress / AIMIM's Viewpoint
Photos on ration cards
BJP / Union Minister's Viewpoint
Sanjay Kumar says printing CM and minister photos on smart PDS cards is wrong because the Centre provides rice and funds for 57 lakh ration cards, so PM Modi's photo should be printed instead.
Congress / AIMIM's Viewpoint
The Telangana Congress government issued the smart cards featuring CM A Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, with the CM launching their distribution at Sangareddy.
Vande Mataram programme at Charminar
BJP / Union Minister's Viewpoint
Sanjay Kumar said he will organise singing of Vande Mataram with one lakh people at the Bhagyalakshmi temple at Charminar.
Congress / AIMIM's Viewpoint
Sanjay Kumar recalled that AIMIM members walked out when the national song was played in the assembly in the past, and he challenged AIMIM leaders to stall his programme.
- Union Minister
- Bandi Sanjay Kumar (Minister of State for Home)
- State Government
- Congress-led Telangana
- Chief Minister
- A Revanth Reddy
- Civil Supplies Minister
- N Uttam Kumar Reddy
- Claimed smart card cost
- About Rs 600 crore
- Ration cards receiving Centre rice
- 57 lakh in Telangana
- Smart card launch location
- Sangareddy town, near Hyderabad
- Report date
- Saturday, August 15