In a move to ensure transparency and quality in the public distribution system, the Tamil Nadu Food Supply Department has instructed officials to present ration food items to district collectors before they are sent to fair price shops. The directive comes as part of efforts to monitor the quality and timely distribution of essential commodities provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS).The announcement was made during a review meeting held under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Food Minister R. Sakkarapani. Senior officials including Food Department Secretary Satyapridha Sahu, senior regional officers, and district-level food officials were present at the meeting.
The minister emphasized the need for all ration rice received from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Civil Supplies Corporation godowns to be inspected by the District Collectors before being dispatched to ration shops. This step is aimed at ensuring that the food items meet quality standards and to avoid the distribution of substandard supplies to the public.
Further, it was instructed that paddy procured from farmers must be quickly milled and the resulting rice should be promptly sent to warehouses. Officials were also asked to expedite the movement of goods and maintain strict quality control throughout the process.
The department stressed the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders — including zonal officers, warehouse staff, quality inspectors, and cooperative society representatives — to ensure that the process is smooth and that people continue to receive clean and quality food grains through ration shops.
The meeting also reviewed the current status of stock availability, delivery timelines, and the performance of ration shops across districts.
This initiative is part of the state government’s ongoing effort to strengthen the food distribution system, maintain accountability, and safeguard the welfare of ration card holders.