Congress Government Shifts Rice Distribution to Enhance Food Security

N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister of Telangana, announced a significant shift in the state’s food security strategy. In a recent address at a training camp for District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents in Vikarabad, Reddy revealed that the Congress government plans to replace coarse rice with sanna biyyam, or fine rice, in its distribution program.

The minister criticized the inefficiencies associated with the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, highlighting that Telangana spends approximately ₹12,000 crore annually to distribute 6 kg of coarse rice to each beneficiary. Reddy stated that surveys indicate nearly 90 percent of this coarse grain ends up being diverted for animal feed, production of beer, or recycled by mills. This trend reflects a strong preference among residents of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for fine rice.

“We have identified this as a massive wastage of public money,” Reddy emphasized. He explained that the Congress government is implementing a comprehensive reform to ensure that food security reaches those who genuinely need it. This initiative builds on the state’s successful transition toward increased production and procurement of fine paddy.

Water Management Projects Underway

In addition to the rice distribution changes, Reddy updated attendees on various irrigation projects crucial for the state’s agricultural sustainability. He noted that the Srisailam Left Bank Canal Project is progressing quickly, aiming to bring water to approximately 300,000 acres. Furthermore, he assured that the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, along with related projects such as Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Koilsagar, and Bhima, will be completed before the next Assembly elections.

The minister also discussed the Devadula Project, which is expected to be finished by December 2027, and will irrigate over 680,000 acres while providing drinking water to Warangal. Additionally, Reddy mentioned plans for the Sitarama and Seetamma Sagar projects, which will utilize water from the Godavari River to irrigate about 600,000 acres in the former Khammam district.

Reddy acknowledged the contributions of Sonia Gandhi, stating she was “singularly responsible for giving statehood to Telangana.” He also recalled that K. Chandrashekar Rao, commonly known as KCR, had previously promised to merge the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) with the Congress party, but did not follow through after the formation of a separate Telangana, allegedly pursuing a personal agenda that included maintaining family rule.

Through these initiatives, the Congress government aims to enhance food security and agricultural productivity in Telangana while addressing issues of inefficiency and resource allocation.