CHENNAI: State Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataramanan said on Tuesday that the state has procured three lakh tonnes of paddy so far, with a target of eight lakh tonnes, to strengthen food security preparedness amid concerns over a possible El Niño-induced drought and scarcity.

Addressing media in Valasaravakkam, he said the government had maintained rice stocks to meet public distribution system requirements and was monitoring seasonal conditions to prepare for potential shortages. "If procurement reaches eight lakh tonnes, we will be prepared even if scarcity arises," he said, adding that the State had stocked 63 lakh tonnes of rice during 2025-26 and maintained supplies sufficient to meet ration shop requirements for two months.

Responding to complaints about inadequate supplies of fine-quality rice through ration shops, the minister said districts were receiving the variety based on demand.

Clarifying allegations about the source of ration rice, he said the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation procured paddy and milled the rice distributed through fair price shops. He said rice purchased from the open market was processed at private mills and was not part of the corporation's procurement.

In response to demands from Cauvery Delta farmers to reorganise direct paddy procurement centres, Venkataramanan said they decided locations based on cultivation data and assessments by district-level committees comprising five officials and two farmers. He added that new centres would be established wherever feasible.

On complaints about onion quality, he said the previous round procured 730 tonnes, and the produce would be graded, with only suitable stock sent for sale.

Addressing concerns over food quality in eateries, the minister said district Collectors were supervising inspections, particularly to address violations in smaller establishments. The minister also said public awareness campaigns on safe food practices were underway.