Telangana has hit a significant milestone this month, with the number of Food Security (ration) cards surpassing the 1 crore mark, now standing at an impressive 1.01 crore. This means a staggering 3.25 crore individuals are actively enrolled to receive benefits, primarily a monthly distribution of rice and wheat.
Detailed figures released on Tuesday, September 16, confirm that the state now has precisely 10,127,655 ration cards, catering to 32,511,157 beneficiaries. Unsurprisingly, the urban centers lead in card distribution: Hyderabad accounts for 719,657 cards, followed by Rangareddy with 620,721, and Medchal Malkajgiri with 590,848.
D.S. Chauhan, the Principal Secretary of the Civil Supplies department, confirmed that the monumental 1 crore card threshold was crossed just this month. Beneficiaries frequently highlight that beyond the essential food grains, these cards serve as a crucial gateway to a multitude of other government support initiatives, including vital pension schemes.
According to Venkatanarayana Motkuri, an Associate Professor at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) in Hyderabad, the surge in ration card numbers is directly linked to their integration with other government welfare programs, notably the Aarogyasri Health Scheme.
Motkuri explained, “Many individuals, even if not primarily interested in the food benefits, apply for a ration card specifically to access the linked health scheme. Furthermore, the rise of nuclear family structures also plays a role. Where a single card might have once covered a family of five (parents and three children), as those children grow up and start their own families, three additional cards could be issued, contributing to the overall increase.”
Sister Lissy Joseph, chairperson of the National Workers Welfare Trust, emphasized the profound financial relief these cards offer to single women—including those unmarried, widowed, divorced, or separated—who often work in low-earning sectors like domestic work, sweeping, agriculture, and construction. For these women and their dependents, especially if living in rented accommodation, the grains provided are invaluable. She added that the linked Aarogyasri Scheme also becomes a lifeline, offering crucial financial support when health issues arise.
Key Districts Leading in Ration Card Distribution Across Telangana
Here’s a breakdown of the Telangana districts with the highest number of ration cards, reflecting the widespread reach of the food security program:
| Name of the district | Number of ration cards |
| Hyderabad | 719,657 |
| Rangareddy | 620,721 |
| Medchal Malkajgiri | 590,848 |
| Nalgonda | 531,851 |
| Nizamabad | 460,745 |
| Nizamabad | 459,469 |
| Sangareddy | 418,617 |
| Suryapet | 363,412 |
| Jagtial | 347,802 |
| Kothagudem | 320,620 |