Tamil Nadu to priority fine-variety paddy procurement for better PDS rice

Food Minister P Venkataraman told the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday that priority would be given to procurement of fine-variety paddy, which yields higher-quality rice for distribution through the public distribution system (PDS). During a discussion on the demands for grants for the food and civil supplies department, he said the incentive for fine variety has been increased. "Currently, the rice supplied through ration shops is largely used by the public to make idli and dosa rather than for regular consumption. We want to ensure that high-quality rice is supplied through fair price shops," he said. He was responding to questions from former DMK ministers R Sakkarapani, M R K Panneerselvam and K N Nehru, who sought to know why a higher incentive had been fixed for fine variety.