Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Telangana Leads India With Free Fine Rice Distribution
Telangana says it is giving fine rice for free to poor families.
Nearly 3.10 crore people are covered by the programme.
They receive the rice through 1.06 crore ration cards.
The state expects the programme to cost Rs 13,800 crore.
Kadiyam Srihari said the welfare programme is meant to improve poor people’s lives.
He criticised a demand for Narendra Modi’s photograph on the new digital ration cards.
He said the state is paying for the fine rice, even though the Centre supplies rice.
Officials also opened new roads and houses in Chilpur and discussed plans for government offices and a health centre.
Telangana is distributing fine rice free to nearly 3.10 crore beneficiaries through 1.06 crore ration cards.
The programme is estimated to cost the state government Rs 13,800 crore.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari said Telangana is the country’s first state to provide free fine rice to poor families.
Srihari criticised the BJP’s demand to place Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph on new digital ration cards.
Development projects inaugurated in Chilpur included Rs 33.60 lakh in CC roads and new Indiramma houses.
- Who
- The Telangana government, nearly 3.10 crore beneficiaries, Kadiyam Srihari, and the BJP are involved.
- What
- Telangana is distributing fine rice free to poor families and launching related local development projects.
- When
- The announcement was made on Wednesday.
- Where
- The programmes were held in Chilpur mandal in Hanumakonda, Telangana.
- Why
- The government says its welfare schemes aim to improve the lives of poor families.
Telangana Government Position
BJP Position
Photograph on ration cards
Telangana Government Position
Kadiyam Srihari said Narendra Modi’s photograph should not be placed on the digital ration cards because the state government is funding the fine-rice programme.
BJP Position
The BJP has demanded that Narendra Modi’s photograph be displayed on the new digital ration cards.
Credit for rice distribution
Telangana Government Position
Srihari said the Centre provides rice, but Telangana spends thousands of crores to provide fine rice to beneficiaries.
BJP Position
The BJP’s demand reflects its position that the Prime Minister should be represented on the ration cards, while Srihari said this could be considered if the Centre distributed fine rice nationwide.
- Beneficiaries
- Nearly 3.10 crore people
- Ration cards
- 1.06 crore
- Estimated cost
- Rs 13,800 crore
- Road project cost
- Rs 33.60 lakh for CC roads in Chilpur
- Housing goal
- Make Station Ghanpur constituency hut-free
- Additional plans
- New mandal offices and a primary health centre in Chilpur