Suryapet, June 2 (RAHNUMA): Describing the state government’s free fine-rice distribution programme as a landmark welfare initiative unmatched anywhere in the country, Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the scheme was unique not only in Telangana’s history, but also in the history of India and the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing Telangana State Formation Day celebrations after unfurling the National Flag in Suryapet on Tuesday, Uttam Kumar Reddy said nearly 3.20 crore people, representing about 85 per cent of Telangana’s population, were receiving quality fine rice free of cost under the programme.
“No government anywhere in India has implemented a scheme of this scale. Even in united Andhra Pradesh, people never received fine rice free of cost on such a massive scale. Telangana has become a model for food security and social welfare,” he said.
The Minister said the scheme had restored dignity to poor families by providing them the same quality rice consumed by affluent sections. In Suryapet district alone, fine rice distribution for April, May and June covered more than 20.51 lakh beneficiaries at a cost of Rs 82.46 crore, he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the Congress government, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the district had made remarkable progress under the 99-Day Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika, a ten-point governance and service delivery campaign aimed at strengthening welfare implementation and addressing public grievances.
He said the district had secured leading positions in several sectors including health, agriculture, sanitation, education, women and child welfare, revenue administration, infrastructure development, skill development and women’s empowerment.
The Minister said the government had issued 46,587 new ration cards after a gap of nearly ten years. Suryapet district now has 3.70 lakh ration cards and all eligible families without cards were encouraged to apply, he said.
Referring to paddy procurement, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana was carrying out one of the largest procurement operations in the country. In Suryapet district alone, 3.39 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured from 48,897 farmers through 313 procurement centres at a cost of Rs 810 crore, he said.
Under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, Rs 602.56 crore had been deposited into the accounts of 5.79 lakh farmers covering the Vanakalam and Yasangi seasons. Under Rythu Bima, Rs 20.45 crore had been paid to nominees of 409 deceased farmers, Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
The Minister said welfare measures were reaching every section of society. Under the Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme, women had undertaken 5.13 crore journeys, resulting in savings of Rs 307 crore. Under the Griha Jyoti scheme, 1.89 lakh households were receiving free electricity up to 200 units with a subsidy support of Rs 144.78 crore. Free power supply for agriculture was benefiting 1.60 lakh farm connections, he said.
The Minister said students in government institutions were being provided breakfast, eggs, ragi java, milk and nutritious midday meals. Young India Integrated Residential Schools had been sanctioned in Huzurnagar, Kodad and Thungathurthi at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore, he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy further announced that Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya had been sanctioned in Kodad on 100 acres at a cost of Rs 53 crore, while a Government Agricultural College was sanctioned in Huzurnagar on 100 acres at a cost of Rs 124 crore.
