The number of ration (Food Security) cards in Telangana has crossed the one crore mark, reaching 1.01 crore this month. The number of people enrolled for benefits under ration cards are 3.25 crore. Currently, rice and wheat is distributed every month.

As on Tuesday (September 16) afternoon, there are a total of 1,01,27,655 ration cards in the State and the number of beneficiaries are 3,25,11,157, as per the data. Of the total cards, the highest number of ration cards are in the three urban districts -- Hyderabad (7,19,657), Rangareddy (6,20,721) and Medchal Malkajgiri (5,90,848).

Principal Secretary of the Civil Supplies department D.S. Chauhan said the one crore mark was crossed this month. Applicants said that besides the grains, the card helps them in applying for other schemes, including pensions.

Venkatanarayana Motkuri, Associate Professor, Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad, said that as the ration cards are linked to other government welfare schemes such as Aarogyasri Health Scheme, there is an increase in the numbers.

"Even if someone is not keen on benefits of the Food Security card, they would apply for it if they want the Health Scheme. Besides, the nuclear family system too is contributing to more people applying for the card. In case there was a family of five with parents and three children who held one card, three more cards might get added after the kids grow up and get married," he said.

Sister Lissy Joseph, chairperson, National Workers Welfare Trust, said that the card gives much needed financial relief to single women (unmarried, widows, divorced or separated) who work as domestic workers, sweepers, agriculture labour, construction labour and other sectors. They have low earnings. If the women and their dependents live at a leased home, the grains provided under the scheme are of help. She said that when they develop health issues, the Aarogyasri Scheme, linked to the card, provides them some financial relief.

Telangana districts with most number of ration cardsName of the districtNumber of ration cardsHyderabad719657Rangareddy620721Medchal Malkajgiri590848Nalgonda531851Nizamabad460745Khammam459469Sangareddy418617Suryapet363412Jagtial347802Kothagudem320620

Number of ration cards in Telangana crosses 1 crore mark, number of beneficiaries are 3.25 crore