Minister accused of claiming PDS rice used to feed livestock in Tamil Nadu Assembly

Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan triggered a political storm in the Assembly on Thursday when he claimed that rice distributed through the Public Distribution System was being widely used to feed cattle and poultry, sparking sharp protests from Opposition benches.

The controversial statement came during debate on the demands for grants for the Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department. Sengottaiyan alleged that ration commodities were used as feed for goats and cattle in several places during the previous DMK government's tenure. Facing strong objections, the Minister later clarified he meant that in many places, ration commodities were used as fodder for cattle.

Opposition counters with quality claims

Former Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam rejected the charge, asserting that the previous government had ensured quality rice was distributed. He highlighted that even former Minister K.N. Nehru had been consuming ration rice, with Nehru adding, "Ration rice is good for people with diabetes".

The debate escalated into a broader confrontation over paddy procurement practices. Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Venkataramanan alleged that farmers staged protests during the previous regime because paddy procured at Direct Purchase Centres was left to drench in the rain. He also claimed that paddy was left on roads in several places due to space constraints.

Competing narratives on procurement systems

DMK MLA and former Food Minister R. Sakkarapani from Oddanchathram countered that complaint boxes were placed at all DPCs during the DMK regime for farmers to lodge complaints regarding paddy procurement. Venkataramanan disputed this, saying no such boxes were placed and no notices were displayed at DPCs regarding whom farmers should address complaints to.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami intervened to say the problem of paddy getting drenched in rain could be avoided only if it was promptly transported to rice mills. Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna argued that although free education, healthcare and rice were being provided, many Ministers and MLAs were not using them, adding that the new government was focusing on ensuring and improving commodity quality.

Source: The Hindu