Hyderabad: In a decision which may trigger political controversy, the Telangana state government has placed order for printing of over 85 lakh Food Security Cards bearing the photo of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
Recently, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav distributed FSA cards bearing his photos which triggered political controversy. The previous ration cards did not have photos of political leaders.
Though the Food Security Act came into force in the state two years ago, the state government failed to issue cards so far due to various reasons. The issuance got delayed as the government invited fresh applications citing earlier ration cards as bogus and also was withheld due to formation of new districts. Now that 31 districts have been formed, the government issued instructions to issue new FSA cards.
The Centre earlier raised objection over states printing their own photos on cards since the subsidy burden of food grains being supplied under FSA is borne by the Centre.
Civil supplies minister Etela Rajender recently said the CM approved the pink-coloured card design which has CM's photo on the top and asked officials to place printing orders accordingly. He told them that distribution of cards should begin by December.
Despite the Central government raising objections over printing of any photos of political leaders on FSA cards, the government is keen on going forward on this issue.
According to sources, the CM is of the view that there is nothing wrong in doing so since the Telang-ana government has been supplying rice at just Rs 1 per kg while the Centre is supplying the same for Rs 2 per kg.
