Hyderabad, June 16 -- In line with the state cabinet's decision to immediately issue ration cards to eligible beneficiaries, thousands of people here gathered at the Civil Supply department offices in long queues , risking the spread of COVID-19 in the city. The long queues were seen particularly at Charminar, circle-lll.

The cabinet meeting which was headed by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on June 8 decided to disburse 4,46,169 ration cards in the span of 15 days. Minister for animal husbandry Talasani Srinivas Yadav had directed the authorities to issue new ration cards to pending applicants in the Hyderabad city limits.

People who do not have ration cards also turned out in large numbers at Mee-Seva centres for filing the applic...