TN Govt seeks additional rice to meet demand: Minister

Pudukkottai, Oct 13 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government has sought an additional allotment of 50,000 tonnes of raw rice from the Central Pool to meet the growing demand among family card-holders, according to State Food Miister E V Velu.

Talking to newspersons here soon after reviewing distribution of essential commodities in Pudukottai and Tiruchi districts yesterday, he said though the Food department had ascertained the demand for raw rice and boiled rice for ensuring uninterrupted supply to the card-holders, sudden fluctuations often caused shortage.

Mr Velu said, for instance, the demand for raw rice was more in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, while a majority of card- holders in Tiruppattur preferred boiled rice.

The Minister said additional direct procurement centres would be opened in Cauveri Delta district, where the daily procurement exceeded 2,000 tonnes. The department had identified 250 such centres in the Cauvery delta, he added.

He said suitable instructions were given to the authorities concerned to issue fresh ration cards within 60 days from the date of application.

UNI