Tamil Nadu Assembly: ‘Ration rice used as cattle fodder’ remark by Minister Sengottaiyan triggers furore

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Tamil Nadu Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan. File | Photo Credit: M. Govarthan

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.

Former Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said during the DMK regime, paddy procured at DPCs was not exposed to rain. Responding to him, Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan said ration commodities were used as feed for goats and cattle in several places during the previous rule. His comments drew strong objections from the Opposition.

The Minister clarified that he meant to say that in many places, ration commodities were used as fodder for cattle. Mr. Panneerselvam said the previous government had ensured that quality rice was distributed. He said even former Minister K.N. Nehru had been consuming ration rice. Mr. Nehru said, “Ration rice is good for people with diabetes.”

Minister for Public Works Aadhav Arjuna said that although free education, free healthcare and free rice were being provided, many Ministers and MLAs were not using them and that the new government was focusing on ensuring and improving the quality of commodities. Mr. Venkataramanan alleged that farmers had staged protests during the previous regime because paddy procured at DPCs were left to drench in the rain.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami intervened and said that the problem of paddy getting drenched in the rain could be avoided only if it was promptly transported to rice mills.

Tamil Nadu / ministers (government) / Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam / All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam / Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam

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