TS to issue citizens’ cards

The Telangana government has decided to take up a door-to-door survey on the socio-economic status of people across the State next month and issue citizens’ cards like passports after that.

The decision on the survey and cards was taken by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at an official meeting at Andhra Pradesh Academy of Rural Development on Thursday while reviewing the preparedness of government to meet individual needs.

Mr. Rao noted that there was need to identify genuinely poor people, their present status and assistance required by them to ensure that the benefits reached them.

In this context, the survey should be conducted without the involvement of middlemen and touts, a release said.

He asked the authorities to ensure that every member of the household was enumerated during the survey.

It will simplify selection of beneficiaries for extension of welfare programmes. The public should be encouraged to disclose their particulars without the aid of anyone.

Mr. Rao said fresh ration cards will be issued between Dassara and Deepavali. He deplored that the housing programme, sanction of pensions and issue of ration cards were taken up in the past through corrupt means. The same will not be allowed to repeat in Telangana State. The government will take up programmes to improve the lives of weaker sections who constitute 80 per cent of the population.