Telangana Begins Three-Month PDS Rice Distribution in One Go
Officials said Telangana had implemented a similar exercise in 2025 following the launch of the sanna biyyam scheme, under which beneficiaries received April-June allocations in advance.
Hyderabad:The state government will distribute three months’ ration rice in a single instalment in April following directions from the Union government, marking the second consecutive year of advance supply under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Telangana.
The Union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution directed states and Union Territories to lift and distribute foodgrains allocated under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) up to June 2026 in advance, citing logistical and storage constraints during the procurement season.
“States and Union Territories will lift foodgrains allocated under the NFSA up to June 2026 in advance and distribute them to beneficiaries immediately. Distribution for April–June 2026 is to be completed soon after the stocks are lifted,” the ministry said in its directive issued in the first week of March.
Officials said Telangana had implemented a similar exercise in 2025 following the launch of the sanna biyyam scheme, under which beneficiaries received April-June allocations in advance.
According to officials, distribution of 2.15 lakh metric tonnes of rice will begin from April 1, covering about 1.05 crore ration cards and nearly 3.2 crore beneficiaries.
Under the PDS, families with Food Security Cards will receive 6 kg of fine rice per person. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders will get 35 kg of rice along with 1 kg of sugar, while Annapurna Yojana (AY) beneficiaries will receive 10 kg of fine rice and 5 kg of wheat.
Civil supplies minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said new ration shops would be opened across the state from April after assessing viability, to improve distribution efficiency.