Hyderabad, May 13 -- The Telangana government has added around 17 lakh new names to existing ration cards between February and May 2025, significantly expanding access to welfare benefits such as the Aarogyasri health scheme.

According to official sources, many of the newly added individuals were earlier ineligible for the scheme as their names were not listed on ration cards. This move now enables them to receive government health and food support.

The Congress-led government had begun accepting ration card applications through MeeSeva centres in February. So far, 1.51 lakh new ration cards have been issued, with 3.24 lakh individuals registered under them. In addition, 13.73 lakh names were added to already existing ration cards.

Man...