On Thursday, August 21, around 1,538 tonnes of rotten rice among the stock were found in the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) godown at Pillayarpatti in Thanjavur. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Committee (Public undertakings) has recommended strict action against the lethargic officials behind the rotten rice. The Committee, headed by Anaicut MLA Nandakumar, visited the godown after receiving a tip, where they discovered the stock of rotten rice that was not appropriate for human consumption. On questioning regarding the rotten rice, officials informed that the rice stock had been kept in the godown since 2022.
Panel Raises Concerns Over Rotten Rice, Receives Vague Response
While answering the media’s questions, Nandakumar said the officials could not answer properly to the panel’s questions properly regarding the storage of the rice. They will be asked about the reason for stocking rotten rice in the godown for three years. Moreover, he added that fitting action will be taken against indifferent officials. He stated that the government was concerned about distributing good-quality rice to the people and said, “As the rice is not appropriate for human consumption, steps will be initiated to utilise it as cattle feed.” Subsequently, the team visited the godown at Neelagiri and inspected the basic amenities such as toilet facilities. They found the Toilets untidy and berated the officials. Not only this, the members also inspected the Thirumalai Samudram electricity substation and the Government Hostel for Women at Orathanadu. Eventually, they chaired a review meeting in the presence of Mayor Shan Ramanathan, TNCSC Senior Divisional Manager Selvam and others.