Telangana Govt To Issue Ration Cards, Digital Health Cards from Sept 17
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday announced the launch of the 'Praja Palana' programme, which will run for 10 days starting from September 17 across the state, mainly to to issue new ration cards and health cards to all eligible residents.
This marks a significant shift in the state's policy of delinking ration cards with health cards, with the ration cards and health cards now being issued separately, a move aimed at improving the efficiency and accessibility of these essential services.
During a review meeting held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of collecting accurate data from every family during the 10-day programme and instructed officials to ensure that the 'Praja Palana' programme is effectively organised in all villages and wards across the state.
“A special focus should be given to the procedures required for issuing digital health cards, including conducting medical tests to record the health profiles of residents and establishing health check-up camps in rural areas, with support from local laboratories,” Revanth Reddy said.
In a bid to enhance the efficiency of the health card system, the Chief Minister highlighted the need to study France's policy on digital health cards, which was recommended by representatives who met him during a recent foreign visit. The state government plans to adopt the best practices from France to improve its own system.
The health cards issued under this programme will be crucial for accessing medical treatment under the Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme and receiving financial assistance from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
The meeting was attended by key officials including health minister Damodar Rajanarsimha, Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari, principal secretary (health) Dr Christina Chongthu, principal secretary (MAUD) M. Dana Kishore, and Chief Minister’s principal secretary V. Seshadri.