Over a year into its tenure, the Congress government in Telangana is yet to deliver on its election promise of issuing new ration cards. Despite initial steps like forming a cabinet sub-committee and accepting applications for the cards, the issue appears to have been sidelined.
During the assembly election campaign, Revanth Reddy, then PCC president and now the CM, assured voters that new ration cards would be distributed immediately upon Congress taking power. However, this promise remains unfulfilled.
Currently, the state has 89.97 lakh white ration cards benefiting 2.81 crore people. The previous BRS government has issued 6.5 lakh new ration cards. In response to public demand, the government invited applications for new cards and updates to existing ones, receiving 10 lakh new applications and 11.33 lakh requests for changes.
To address the issue, a cabinet sub-committee was formed, chaired by Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and including Ministers Damodar Rajanarsimha and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. Despite several meetings to draft procedures, the committee has yet to submit its report.
Adding to the public’s ire, there is growing speculation that the delays are deliberate, with critics suggesting ulterior motives. Many are questioning whether the delay is linked to financial irregularities or an attempt to avoid implementing welfare schemes tied to the ration card system.
There is widespread criticism that by delaying the issuance of ration cards, the Congress government is evading its responsibility to fulfill six guarantees.