Telangana: Eligibility for food cards might stop at 10 acres

Adilabad: The state government is likely to set ownership of 10 acres of land as the ceiling for beneficiaries to get food security cards. This may also extend to the Rythu Bandhu scheme in the near future.

The state government has issued instructions to collectors to keep on hold distribution of food security cards to those owning 10 acres land and more and drawing the benefit of the Rythu Bandhu scheme.  

The agriculture department has found many persons having these cards but also owning more than 10 acres.

The decision was taken at a review meeting conducted with officials concerned and officials of the NIC, Hyderabad, on February 25 by the civil supplies department.

Officials concerned discussed the food security cards being enjoyed by ineligible candidates.

On March 2, civil supplies commissioner Dr Akun Sabharwal issued instructions to all collectors to keep the cards in dormant mode in case the beneficiary had more than 10 acres and was benefiting from Rythu Bandhu. He asked DSDOs to verify such food security cards with the respective mandal officers and deactivate such cards.  Such card holders have to submit their pattadar pass book to activate their FSCs.

The state government gives 6 kg rice for each family member without a cap under the Food Security Act 2013. News is making rounds in political circles that the state government is planning to place restrictions on extending financial help to farmers under Rythu Bandhu.

The government is exploring avenues to reduce the Rythu Bandhu scheme to cover only those owning up to 10 acres in the coming days as part of streamlining the scheme.

The Centre has set ownership of five acres of land for the PM-Kisan scheme that was unveiled in the vote-on-account Budget.