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

Tamil Nadu Assembly: 'Ration rice applied as cattle fodder' remark by Minister Sengottaiyan triggers furore Former Agriculture Minister M.R.K.

Key points

• 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.
• Tamil Nadu Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A.
• The Minister clarified that he meant to say that in plenty of places, ration commodities were employed as fodder for cattle.
• According to Palaniswami intervened and, the challenge of paddy getting drenched in the rain could be avoided only if it was promptly transported to rice mills.
• Panneerselvam remarked during the DMK regime, paddy procured at DPCs was not exposed to rain.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan's remark that rice distributed under the Public Distribution System was largely being applied 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 remarked 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 remarked 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 additionally alleged that during the previous regime, paddy procured at DPCs was left on the roads in a number of places due to space constraints.

Former Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam remarked during the DMK regime, paddy procured at DPCs was not exposed to rain. Responding to him, Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan remarked ration commodities were employed as feed for goats and cattle in a number of places during the previous rule. His comments drew solid objections from the Opposition. 'K.N. Nehru has been consuming ration rice'.

Notably, the Minister clarified that he meant to say that in plenty of places, ration commodities were employed as fodder for cattle. Mr. Panneerselvam remarked the previous administration had ensured that quality rice was distributed. He remarked even former Minister K.N. Nehru had been consuming ration rice. Mr. Nehru remarked, "Ration rice is good for people with diabetes."

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

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

For now, tamil Nadu Assembly: 'Ration rice used as cattle fodder' remark by Minister remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.