Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched the Family Digital Cards project on Thursday, introducing it on a pilot basis to ensure that welfare schemes reach all families across the state. The cards, issued under the ‘one state, one card’ policy, are designed to serve as a comprehensive tool for accessing various government benefits.
These digital cards will allow families to avail of ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS), health insurance through the Arogyasri scheme, fee reimbursements, and other welfare programs. They will consolidate information from 30 different departments, making it easier for beneficiaries to access services with just a click.
Currently, families without ration cards face difficulties in accessing welfare schemes. Revanth Reddy assured that every poor family in Telangana will be issued these digital cards to rectify this issue. Additionally, the cards will include a health profile of the family, providing doctors with valuable medical history for treatment, particularly in emergencies.
A notable feature of the project is that migrant families—those who have moved from villages to urban areas—can use the cards to access ration in their current place of residence. The pilot project is being implemented in two locations across each of Telangana’s 119 constituencies, with an official of Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) rank overseeing its execution. Authorities will address any challenges encountered during the initial phase to ensure smooth implementation.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the digital cards will empower women, as they will be registered as heads of families. He further highlighted the state government’s commitment to ensuring that welfare schemes reach their intended recipients. The project design was informed by studies of similar programs in other states.
In a critique of the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, Revanth Reddy said that people struggled for 10 years to obtain ration cards and accused the former administration of leaving Telangana in a debt trap due to mismanagement and excessive borrowing. He added that the Congress government is focused on correcting the mistakes of the BRS and is committed to improving access to essential services.
The launch event, held at Secunderabad Hockey Grounds, was attended by Revenue Minister P. Srinivasa Reddy, public representatives, and top officials.
