Despite the failure of the kuruvai crop, Tamil Nadu has sufficient stock of rice to meet the demand at the public distribution system for the next three months, according to the State Civil Supplies Department.
The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, which maintains stock for distribution of subsidised rice through the PDS outlets, has 9.18 lakh tonnes.
As the normal offtake of rice at the PDS outlets is of the order of 3.16 lakh tonnes per month, the State can easily manage the next three months without much difficulty.
Besides, the Food Corporation of India has 7 lakh tonnes of rice meant for Tamil Nadu.
So, there would be no problem in distribution of rice through the fair price shops in the State, a department source said.
Procurement of samba paddy in the State was also good.
As on Thursday, the Civil Supplies Corporation had procured 13.25 lakh tonnes of paddy in the State.
Bulk of the procurement was from the delta districts, with Tiruvarur contributing 4.04 lakh tonnes, Thanjavur 3.63 lakh tonnes and Nagapattinam 2.28 lakh tonnes. Daily arrival at the direct purchase centres was of the order of 10,000 to 11,000 tonnes.
Though it was not possible for the Corporation to achieve 16 lakh tonne target for both kuruvai and samba season fixed by the State government, it would end the season with a total purchase of 15 lakh tonnes. The proposed shortfall in the target was due to failure of kuruvai crop in the State, the official added.
