Food Minister Reviews Paddy Procurement, Storage and Milling Operations Statewide

PRESS RELEASE As per the instructions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a review meeting on paddy procurement, safe storage, milling and various related activities was held today (07.07.2026) at the Secretariat, chaired by the Hon'ble Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Thiru P. Venkataramanan, with Senior Regional Managers, Regional Managers, and Quality Control Officers of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC). The meeting reviewed in detail the current status of paddy procurement, storage, milling, transport, and rice distribution to the Public Distribution System across Tamil Nadu. In particular, the Hon'ble Minister instructed that all regions must ensure that direct paddy procurement from farmers proceeds smoothly and without delay or hindrance. To ensure that quality rice is supplied to the public through the Public Distribution System, the Hon'ble Minister instructed that at direct purchase centres, paddy with moisture content not exceeding 17% and meeting the standards prescribed by the Government should alone be procured; that the area under paddy cultivation should be verified jointly with the Agriculture Department; and that, when issuing Chitta and Adangal records jointly with the Revenue Department, the variety and extent of paddy cultivated should be recorded. He further instructed that moisture meters at all direct paddy purchase centres be periodically tested and kept fully functional and ready for use at all times, and that officials continuously monitor the accuracy of these instruments to ensure quality paddy procurement. The season-wise stock of paddy procured at direct purchase centres, region-wise storage status, movement, godown capacity, current stock levels and vacant storage space were reviewed. Officials were instructed to take necessary steps to improve storage capacity. In view of the forthcoming monsoon season, the Hon'ble Minister instructed that all precautionary safety measures be fully implemented to prevent rainwater damage at open-air direct purchase centres and open storage godowns, that proper protective arrangements be made and continuously monitored to prevent any damage to stored paddy and rice, and that, in addition to moisture-testing devices, arrangements be made to install age-testing devices to determine the storage duration of rice. The functioning of transport agencies, the service quality of contractors, and their capacity to move essential commodities were reviewed. The Hon'ble Minister instructed that paddy and rice transport operations be completed within the planned timeline, and that stock details of paddy and rice moved by road and rail be properly reconciled and verified. The performance of private rice mill agents and Modern Rice Mills (MRM) was also reviewed in detail. Noting that a majority of modern rice mills were unable to achieve their prescribed milling capacity due to staff shortages, he instructed that surplus staff from underutilised modern rice mills be redeployed to modern rice mills with higher milling capacity and technological capability, in order to increase overall milling output. The Hon'ble Minister instructed that paddy milling operations proceed without interruption, that milling targets and timelines set by the Government be met, and that rice required for the Public Distribution System be moved in a timely manner. Officials were instructed to timely recover used gunny bags from Dr. Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Nutritious Meal Programme centres, the Corporation's retail outlets and milling agents, sort them by quality, and store and maintain them properly. He also stressed that used gunnies containing by-products such as bran and broken rice should not be allowed to accumulate and should be removed promptly. The Hon'ble Minister instructed all regional officials to ensure adequate availability of gunny bags, stitching needles, weighing instruments, tarpaulins and all other necessary equipment at direct purchase centres, and to take necessary steps to ensure paddy procurement from farmers proceeds smoothly without any hindrance. He instructed Quality Control Officers to inspect the quality of rice and all food commodities distributed to the public with utmost care and responsibility, in accordance with prescribed standards. He further instructed that samples be properly tested and certified after thoroughly examining moisture, colour, quality and storage condition, to ensure no deficiencies occur in the quality of food commodities. He stressed that substandard commodities must not be accepted under any circumstances, and that Quality Control Officers, Regional Managers and Senior Regional Managers must continue to conduct field inspections, submit inspection reports in a timely manner, and take necessary action to ensure that only high-quality and safe food commodities are distributed to the public. The Hon'ble Minister stressed that fire-fighting equipment at all TNCSC buildings must be kept fully functional, periodically tested, and that safety procedures must be strictly followed. He also instructed that innovative new plans be drawn up to enhance the Corporation's efficiency and improve public distribution services, by increasing technological facilities, reducing workload, and swiftly implementing measures to improve administrative efficiency. The Hon'ble Minister instructed that all activities of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation be carried out with transparency, efficiency and accountability, safeguarding farmers' interests while ensuring uninterrupted supply of quality food commodities to the public, and that all officials work together with full dedication towards this goal. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, Tmt. P. Amudha, IAS; Chairman and Managing Director/Principal Secretary of TNCSC, Dr. Bu. Umanath, IAS; General Managers of the Head Office; all Senior Regional Managers; Regional Managers; Quality Control Officers; Construction Wing officials; and other departmental officials. Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9