Apply for ration cards, Indiramma Indlu at gram sabhas: Minister Uttam tells beneficiaries

Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday claimed that the welfare programs initiated by the Congress government in Telangana were designed to reach every eligible individual, ensuring comprehensive coverage up to the saturation point—an unparalleled initiative in independent India.

On Wednesday, he participated in Praja Palana Gram Sabhas in various constituencies along with Transport and BC Welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar, MLAs and senior leaders.

Uttam asks welfare beneficiaries to apply through gram sabhas

Uttam Kumar Reddy announced the issuance of new ration cards to all eligible individuals through a seamless, continuous process conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.

He urged people to check their names in the beneficiary lists and apply during the ongoing Gram Sabhas or through designated officials.

He criticised the previous BRS government for issuing fewer than 40,000 ration cards during its 10-year rule. In contrast, he noted that the Congress government had already initiated the process to benefit an additional 40 lakh people through new ration cards while facilitating updates such as additions or deletions in existing cards.

“Ration cards are a priority for almost all poor families. Therefore, we’ve decided to ensure that every eligible beneficiary becomes a part of the PDS through ration cards,” he said.

“After completing the ration card process, as promised during elections, all ration cardholders will receive 6 kg of fine rice per person free of cost. Unlike the coarse grain previously distributed, this initiative ensures food quality and prevents misuse. More than 50 per cent of coarse rice was inedible and used to be diverted by cardholders for other purposes. The new policy, which will cost the government an additional Rs 11,000 crore annually, reflects our commitment to people’s welfare,” he added.

Uttam slams BRS for not providing double-bedroom houses

Uttam Kumar Reddy criticised the previous BRS regime for misleading people with unfulfilled promises of double-bedroom houses.

“As housing minister in the previous Congress government, I oversaw the construction of lakhs of Indiramma houses. However, BRS cheated the people on the promise of 2BHK houses and delivered nothing in 10 years. In contrast, the Congress government has reintroduced the Indiramma Indlu programme, ensuring housing benefits for all eligible families. Poor families will receive Rs 5 lakh for house construction, with an additional Rs 1 lakh for SC and ST beneficiaries,” he stated.

He also assured the public that the Congress government would ensure housing for the poor until saturation is achieved.

“If your names are not found in the list of beneficiaries, don’t panic. Apply in the Gram Sabha or later through RDOs or other officials concerned. If you are deserving and eligible, you will surely get a house,” he assured.

He said there is no deadline to apply for ration cards and Indiramma Indlu.

Indiramma Rythu Bharosa

Minister Uttam said that the Congress government had increased Indiramma Rythu Bharosa support to Rs 12,000 per acre, exclusively for cultivable landowners. Calling the Congress government pro-farmer, he reminded the public that the State government had waived off their crop loans in a single instalment.

“In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the government launched the Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa Pathakam, providing Rs 12,000 annually to landless agricultural workers, ensuring that even those without land receive support,” he said and added that every family would get an MGNREGS card, and the woman member of that family would receive Rs 12,000 every year.

He reassured the public that applications for welfare benefits would remain open indefinitely, enabling all eligible individuals to benefit.

Four new schemes on January 26

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar listed out the welfare schemes being implemented by the Congress government since it came to power in December 2023.

These include free travel for women in RTC buses, free power up to 200 units, gas cylinders for Rs 500, free power for farmers, crop loan waivers, and many other schemes covering all sections of society. He advised people not to be misled by the propaganda of BRS and to continue supporting the Congress government. Unlike the previous regime, he said the Congress government was open to new ideas and constructive criticism. He expressed confidence that four new schemes being launched on January 26 would improve the lives of lakhs of people across the state.

Participating in Praja Palana Gram Sabhas held in Manakondur, Choppadandi, Vemulawada and Dharmapuri constituencies, Uttam Kumar Reddy was joined by Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, MLAs Dr K Satayanarayana (Manakondur), Medipally Satyam (Choppadandi), Aadi Srinivas (Vemulawada), A Lakshman Kumar (Dharmapuri), MLC Jeevan Reddy, other senior leaders and officials.

He addressed Gram Sabhas in Renikunta (Manakondur), Narayanpur (Choppadandi), Rudrangi (Vemulawada), and Jaina (Dharmapuri).