Latest news with #CivilSuppliesandIrrigation
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
3.15 crore persons getting fine rice now in Telangana under PDS: Uttam
HYDERABAD Minister for Civil Supplies and Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has stated that there is no better welfare scheme than providing fine-quality rice to ration cardholders under the public distribution system, and Telangana is the only State in the country to do so. Speaking at a programme in Huzurnagar on Tuesday to distribute new ration cards, he said he was fortunate that the supply of fine-quality rice as part of PDS was launched in his constituency. The in-charge Minister for the combined Nalgonda district, A. Laxman Kumar, Commissioner of Civil Supplies, D.S. Chouhan, and others participated in the event. Alleging that the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government had neglected the issuance of new ration cards, Mr. Uttam Reddy said the Congress government would give new ration cards to every eligible family/household. He explained that their government had issued 7,95,685 new ration cards with a total of 33,97,367 beneficiaries. At the time of the Congress government assuming office, there were about 89 lakh ration cards in the State with a total of 2.81 crore beneficiaries. The number of beneficiaries has now gone up to 3,78,00,367 which has set a new benchmark in welfare governance by delivering food security, nutrition and social justice to over 80% of the State's population. Mr. Uttam Reddy recalled that the Fine Rice Scheme, which ensures 6 kg of fine-quality rice per person per month to every ration card holder, has emerged as the country's most ambitious and inclusive food welfare programme. He stated that over 1.85 crore people benefited from the first phase of fine rice distribution beginning in Huzurnagar and on expansion in ration card coverage, over 3.15 crore individuals were now receiving this entitlement regularly across the State.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Rabi 2024-25 paddy procurement crosses 72 lakh tonnes, 13 lakh tonnes more than 2022-23: Telangana Irrigation Minister
HYDERABAD The procurement of paddy for the 2024-25 Rabi season has crossed 72.42 lakh tonnes from 12.33 lakh farmers as on June 8 and it is 13 lakh tonnes higher compared to the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi's (BRS) last season in power, Minister for Civil Supplies and Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has said. At a review meeting held in Hyderabad on Monday (June 9, 2025), he said that the higher procurement was possible with the opening of 1,344 more purchase centres compared to the BRS' last year in office. Against 7,034 centres opened in the 2022-23 Rabi season, the Congress government had opened 8,378 centres in the recent (2024-25) Rabi season. The record paddy production in the recent Rabi season was a milestone in the State's history as it was achieved despite the Kaleshwaram project, claimed as one of its major achievements by the BRS, turning useless, Mr. Reddy said. He said that the value of paddy procured for the 2024-25 Rabi season was ₹16,760 crore. Of it, ₹15,121 crore was already paid to farmers. Statute of paddy procurement as on June 8 in last four Rabi seasons Procurement year Purchase centres opened Quantity procured( in Lakh tonnes) No. of farmers (in lakh) Value of paddy procured (₹ in Cr) Payment made to farmers (₹ in Cr) 2021-22 6609 50.90 9.54 9864 5233 2022-23 7034 59.77 9.81 12289 5932 2023-24 7178 47.19 8.31 10328 9614 2024-25 8378 72.42 12.33 16760 15121
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hiding facts doesn't help national security, says Telangana minister Uttam Kumar Reddy
HYDERABAD: Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, an Indian Air Force veteran, on Saturday demanded transparency from the Centre regarding the losses suffered during Operation Sindoor, particularly the alleged downing of Rafale jets. He said while the nation is proud of the armed forces and their devastating impact on Pakistan, the government must inform citizens about any losses. Speaking from the Congress party headquarters, Uttam highlighted concerns raised by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and CDS General Anil Chauhan regarding delays in aircraft supply, talent shortages, and operational gaps. 'Most firing happened within international borders, yet we lost fighter aircraft. This demands a serious reassessment of our defence capabilities,' he said. The minister praised the Air Force's role in the operation, calling it a 'decisive victory,' but pointed out that India has only 31 operational fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, compromising national security amid threats from China and Pakistan. Criticising the BJP for branding Rahul Gandhi as 'anti-national' for seeking clarity on Rafale losses, Uttam said, 'Now even the Chief of Defence Staff has confirmed that IAF jets were brought down. In a democracy, accountability and transparency are essential.' He further criticised Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for delays in supplying Tejas Mark-1A jets, pointing out that despite the Air Force's need for 35–40 aircraft annually, HAL has struggled to meet its target of 24 jets per year. He cited the Air Chief's concerns about 'unrealistic deadlines and flawed contracts' that weaken institutional trust. 'We must learn from our losses. Hiding facts does not help national security,' he stated.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Desiltation of SRSP, Kadem and other projects will be taken up to restore original storage capacity: Uttam
Stating that the storage capacity of the Sriramsagar Project (SRSP) has dwindled due to accumulation of silt, Minister for Civil Supplies and Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that desilting and dredging works will be taken up in adherence to modern techniques. Similarly, desiltation of Kadem and other projects will be taken up by using modern methods to enhance their storage capacity, he said while addressing a review meeting with the officials of Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jagtial and Rajanna Sircilla districts in Karimnagar on Thursday. IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, and Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar were present. The meeting had reviewed the implementation of Indiramma Housing Scheme, the Bhu Bharati initiative, paddy procurement and preparations for Kharif season, officials said. Mr. Reddy said the MLAs and MPs concerned will be involved in the exercise of devising the action plans for the release of water for Kharif season. Telangana achieved a record-breaking paddy production of over 130 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in around 60 lakh acres in Yasangi (rabi) season. He added that an amount of Rs 13,000 crore has been paid to farmers towards Yasangi paddy procurement till May 28, 2025. During the same period in 2023, only Rs 3,500 crore was paid to farmers under the previous BRS government, he said. Congress strengthened the Irrigation sector appointing 1100 engineers and 1800 Laskars. He asked Jagtial Collector to consult the officials concerned to speed up the process of obtaining forest clearance for the Rollavagu project. He said the Narayanapuram reservoir, Kondagattu lift irrigation scheme and Kalikota Suramma projects will be completed in an expeditious manner. He said all the leaders should cooperate with the judicial commission probing the Medigadda barrage incident. Appropriate action will be taken based on the judicial commission report, he added.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Minister Uttam Reddy hits out at Harish Rao, rebuts allegations on paddy procurement
HYDERABAD Minister for Civil Supplies and Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday hit back at former minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader T. Harish Rao on the latter's allegations over paddy procurement and cited official statistics asking him to stop 'daily campaign of falsehoods'. In a statement, Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that there was a sharp increase in paddy procurement during the current Rabi season. He stated that the government had procured 43.1 lakh tonnes of paddy as on May 12. The data shared by the Minister revealed that the Telangana government had procured 43.1 lakh metric tonnes (LMTs) of paddy during the ongoing Rabi 2024–25 season, up to May 12. As on the same day last year, the Rabi procurement was 29.88 lakh tonnes and a year before (2022-23) it was only 19.62 lakh tonnes. The statistics indicated nearly 44% jump over last year's procurement and more than 120% when compared to 2022-23, reflecting the current administration's proactive efforts, the Minister said. The Minister stated that the Congress government had opened more procurement centres and streamlined operations to benefit farmers directly. Timely procurement had brought relief to paddy cultivators across Telangana as the government was ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) and also paying ₹500 bonus per quintal for fine varieties of paddy. He highlighted the State's record-breaking paddy production in 2024-25 Kharif/Vanakalam season, when 153.5 lakh tonnes of paddy was produced in 66.7 lakh acres, while the ongoing Rabi/Yasangi crop covered 60.14 lakh acres with the yield estimated to be about 129 lakh tonnes — production of over 280 lakh tonnes in a year. Meanwhile, sources stated that about 61.45% of the planned procurement (70.13 lakh tonnes) was completed so far by opening 8,245 procurement centres. Of the 43.1 lakh tonnes procured so far, 27.75 lakh tonnes was of common varieties and 15.35 lakh tonnes of fine varieties. The value of paddy procured so far was ₹9,999.36 crore with 6.58 lakh farmers selling their produce. The farmers were made payments of ₹6,671 crore so far, including ₹767 crore paid as bonus to fine varieties.
