**Hyderabad**: In a positive development for white ration card holders in Telangana, the state government is set to begin distributing fine rice, also known as “sanna biyyam,” fulfilling a promise made earlier to the public. The initiative, expected to roll out in January, comes as a relief to many families who prefer the finer quality of rice. The government has already been distributing fine rice to hostels, schools, and Anganwadi centers across the state. However, with a demand of 25 lakh tonnes of fine rice for white ration card holders, the authorities have taken additional steps to ensure an adequate supply.One key factor contributing to the availability of fine rice this year is the increase in the cultivation of fine paddy (sannala). Previously, Telangana had to rely on procuring rice from other states due to local shortages. But now, the Congress-led government has taken measures to encourage local cultivation. By offering a bonus of Rs. 500 per quintal, the government has incentivized farmers to shift towards sannala cultivation, resulting in 36.80 lakh acres being dedicated to fine paddy this year.The projected yield from this cultivation is estimated at 88 lakh tonnes, which is expected to meet the state’s demand. The government is making arrangements to purchase the harvested paddy, convert it into fine rice, and distribute it through the ration system.**Past Governments Criticized for Neglecting Fine Paddy Cultivation**Despite the high demand for small rice, earlier governments were criticized for not promoting the cultivation of fine paddy. Previously, no more than 25 to 30 percent of the state’s paddy cultivation was dedicated to fine varieties, and in some years, the acreage dropped to below 20 lakh acres.The then BRS government had made announcements about promoting fine rice cultivation and offering bonuses, but these promises were not fully implemented. As a result, farmers were forced to sell their fine paddy at lower prices to traders, below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This lack of support led many farmers to shift towards cultivating coarser varieties of rice, which fetched better prices.However, with the Congress government now offering tangible incentives, farmers are once again turning towards the cultivation of sannala. This shift is expected to boost the state’s fine rice production, ensuring a steady supply for both the ration system and market demand.More than 80 percent of the families in Telangana reportedly prefer fine rice, making this initiative a significant step towards improving food security and quality for the state’s residents.The new policy marks a crucial move by the Congress government to rectify the previous neglect and support local farmers, while also meeting the dietary preferences of a large portion of the population.