Udhayanidhi Stalin alleges Tamil Nadu rice procurement irregularities

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has accused the TVK government in Tamil Nadu of mismanaging the public distribution of rice. He alleged that regular free ration rice is being polished and sold at ₹30 per kg under the label of fine-quality ‘Sanna Raga Ponni’ rice through cooperative outlets.

Stalin noted that while the government intended to provide high-quality Ponni rice at a subsidized rate to counter rising prices, consumers across the state have reported receiving polished regular rice instead. He highlighted that out of 2.28 crore family cardholders, the supply is currently restricted to only 250 locations with a cap of five kg per family.

Demanding transparency, the DMK leader questioned when the government floated tenders for the procurement of this rice, which companies won the bids, and the actual level of subsidy being passed to the public. He also cited a 2007 special public distribution scheme as a precedent for transparent procurement via open tenders.