Assembly Heated Over Minister Sengottaiyan's Remarks on Ration Rice Quality

A sharp debate broke out in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly in Chennai on Thursday after Revenue Minister K A Sengottaiyan remarked that rice supplied through public distribution ration shops was used solely as animal feed.

Addressing the House, Sengottaiyan asserted that it was widely known across the country that rice distributed in ration shops was being utilised as feed for livestock such as goats and hens. The statement drew immediate objections from both DMK and AIADMK legislators, who urged the minister not to demean citizens who depend on and consume ration rice.

Former DMK minister M R K Panneerselvam intervened during the discussion, pointing out that former DMK minister K N Nehru was among those who consumed ration rice. Nehru subsequently addressed the assembly, explaining that medical practitioners had advised him to consume ration rice to manage his diabetes.

Recalling his tenure as the state food minister in 1996, Nehru stated that the quality of public distribution rice had improved significantly over the years compared to earlier times when the supplied rice used to be black. He argued that many people choose ration rice specifically for its health benefits, comparing the practice to health routines such as drinking amla juice every morning.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna supported Sengottaiyan’s stance during the proceedings. Arjuna stated that an estimated 90 percent of the public does not consume ration rice and added that efforts are being made to encourage farmers to cultivate higher-quality paddy.