Minister P. Venkataramanan inspects TNCSC warehouse in Theni on Saturday.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Venkataramanan on Saturday said that any complaints of smuggling or adulteration of essential commodities such as rice by smugglers would be viewed seriously and stern action initiated,.The Minister was here to check a godown at P C Patti, where Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) had a storage facility.Following complaints that card holders received substandard rice at some PDS outlets, he inspected the godown and other infrastructure facilities. He suggested intensification of surveillance, especially on Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, where smuggling of ration rice (intended for PDS) was reported., said officials.“Our government shall not remain mute spectators to complaints from the public or whistleblowers. We should serve the common man, and there shall not be any corruption (mamool) at check posts,” the Minister warned.After a fire broke out at a godown in Tenkasi district recently, where rice packed in gunny bags were destroyed, the Minister said the government was examining introduction of technology-aided warehouses, which would be a kind of all-weather storage system and protect the produce.Mr. Venkataramanan also urged the officials to look into complaints of adulteration and take swift action. Any loose ends should be tightened at the earliest and the message that the government was pro-active should reach the violators.Requests to sell coconut and coconut oil in ration shops would be considered positively, he added..Further, the number of direct procurement centres would be increased in a phased manner in Theni district. “We will replace 15 temporary DPCs with permanent ones. The objective should be that every farmer - small or marginal - is able to sell their produce at the DPCs with ease. The government is open to any idea, which can be implemented and ultimately benefits the users,” he said.Later speaking to reporters, he said the people were convinced with the TVK Government and the manner of functioning of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. “You will see the response in the ensuing by-polls, including in Tiruchi East, where the people would extend their support wholeheartedly to the TVK.”Already, many people were responding in a positive way about the absence of corruption, red-tapeism, among others, he added. Published - July 11, 2026 05:30 pm IST
