PRESS RELEASE As per the directive of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, an integrated review meeting on direct paddy procurement, paddy movement and monsoon precautionary measures was held today (24.06.2026) at the Secretariat, chaired by Hon'ble Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Thiru P. Venkataramanan, Hon'ble Minister for Cooperation Thiru V. Gandhiraj, and Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Thiru R. Vinoth. At this meeting, detailed reviews were carried out on procuring quality paddy from farmers without hindrance during the current procurement season at the permitted moisture level, safely storing procured paddy and dispatching it to mills within the prescribed timeframe, and intensifying precautionary protective measures - with the onset of the monsoon - so that farmers are not affected in any way and paddy bags are not damaged by rainwater. Further, detailed instructions were given regarding improving maintenance at Direct Paddy Purchase Centres and open storage yards, and on the safe storage of paddy bags. In particular, it was emphasised that procurement centres should be located on elevated ground with proper drainage channels to allow rainwater to drain away easily. It was instructed that paddy stacks should be arranged properly and maintained safely using materials such as broken stones and eucalyptus logs (as a base), and that identification tags recording when and in which months the paddy was procured should be affixed to the stacks of paddy bags stored in the godowns of the Direct Paddy Purchase Centres. It was also instructed that during the rainy season, paddy bags should be protected from rainwater using tarpaulin covers, HDPE nets and nylon ropes. It was directed that the moisture content of paddy bags should be continuously monitored and adequate ventilation should be provided, and that equipment such as JCB machines, spades, crowbars and torchlights should be kept ready for emergency needs. It was further stated that the moisture content of paddy at the procurement centres should be monitored to remain below the prescribed limit of 17%, that cleanliness of the surroundings should be ensured, and that action should be taken to promptly remove paddy dust/chaff so that it does not accumulate. It was instructed that if any deficiencies are found in the above measures, the concerned Paddy Procurement Officer, Quality Control Officer, Zonal Manager and Senior Zonal Manager would be held responsible. Further, it was instructed that dryers be procured through the Agricultural Engineering Department functioning under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, that these be installed at every Direct Paddy Purchase Centre, and that a phased action plan be drawn up to procure only quality paddy within the permitted moisture level. Discussions were also held on creating additional storage space for paddy, identifying and utilising vacant spaces in the Agriculture and Cooperation Departments, and establishing warehouses and new Direct Paddy Purchase Centres as required. The Hon'ble Ministers instructed that all departments should work in an integrated manner to ensure that there is no deficiency in the quality of rice and other commodities distributed under the Public Distribution System. It was also communicated to Agriculture Department officials that farmers should be encouraged to cultivate millet-type paddy varieties and other grain crops to benefit consumers. It was instructed that proper records of empty gunny bags be maintained at Public Distribution shops, and that action be taken to promptly return accumulated empty gunny bags to the concerned godowns. It was emphasised that the outstanding amount of Rs.129.82 crore payable to the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation officer for paddy procured be released immediately. Precautionary measures taken in connection with the El Niño weather phenomenon developing in the Pacific Ocean were also discussed. The meeting was attended by Dr. Bhu. Umanath, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation; Thiru K. Venkataraman, IPS, Director, Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department; Dr. Po. Sankar, IAS, Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department / Commissioner of Agriculture Production; Thiru Chandra Sekhar Sagamoori, IAS, Director, Agricultural Marketing and Agri-Business; Thiru A. John Louis, IAS, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Warehousing Corporation; Thiru Su. Sivarasu, IAS, Director, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department; Thiru K.V. Muralidharan, IAS, Director of Agriculture; Thiru K. Thabagaraj, IAS, Additional Registrar (Consumer Affairs), Cooperative Societies; Thiru Aseem Chhabra, General Manager, Food Corporation of India; Thiru Bijoy T. John, State President, National Cooperative Consumers' Federation; Thiru H. Manoj, Chief General Manager, NCCF Board; Thiru P. Lokanathan, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Apex Cooperative Bank; and senior Government officials. Issued By: Director, DIPR, Chennai-9