Tamil Nadu Assembly: ‘Ration rice used as cattle fodder’ remark by Minister Sengottaiyan triggers furore
Tamil Nadu Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan sparked a heated debate in the state Assembly by claiming that ration rice was being used as cattle fodder. Opposition members challenged the statement, leading to a broader argument regarding the quality of food distribution and the management of paddy procurement centers.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights ongoing political tensions in Tamil Nadu regarding public welfare schemes and the administrative efficiency of food distribution systems.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan’s remark that rice distributed under the Public Distribution System was largely being used as fodder for cattle and poultry caused a furore in the Assembly on Thursday (August 20, 2026).
During the debate on the demands for grants for the Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, DMK MLA from Oddanchathram constituency and former Food Minister R. Sakkarapani said complaint boxes were placed at all Direct Purchase Centres (DPCs) during the DMK regime for farmers to lodge complaints regarding paddy procurement.
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P. Venkataramanan intervened and said no such boxes were placed during the previous regime and no notices were displayed at DPCs regarding whom farmers should address their complaints to. He also alleged that during the previous regime, paddy procured at DPCs was left on the roads in several places due to space constraints.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in