Tamil Nadu: Madras HC seeks reports from govt, TNCSC on Rs840 crore paddy loss
By Ram Sundaram
Madras high court has sought reports from the state govt and related agencies on a public interest litigation (PIL) over damage to procured paddy stored at direct procurement centres (DPC).
A division bench of justice N Sathish Kumar and justice M Jothiraman issued notices to Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) and other respondents, directing them to submit reports by July 27.
The PIL, filed by Thanjavur resident H Amirtharaj Hameedudeen, said Tamil Nadu lost about 3.72 lakh tonnes of paddy and rice between 2019-20 and 2023-24.
The affidavit said the loss was estimated at Rs840 crore and was caused by deterioration and spoilage of stocks stored at procurement centres and warehouses.
The plea was filed after heavy rain allegedly damaged paddy bags at the Patteeswaram direct paddy procurement centre near Kumbakonam on June 20.
The petitioner said media reports estimated that 50,000 to 1.5 lakh paddy bags were affected by rainwater intrusion and moisture exposure.
He said the incident was not an isolated rain-related event, but reflected storage gaps in the government procurement system.
According to the affidavit, TNCSC procured more than 39 lakh tonnes of paddy in recent seasons, with procurement approaching 48 lakh tonnes.
However, TNCSC had storage capacity of about 20.92 lakh tonnes through owned and hired godowns, the plea said.
The petitioner said the gap forced stocks into temporary yards, open storage points and vulnerable facilities awaiting transport and processing.
He sought a direction to frame a time-bound state-wide action plan for scientific storage infrastructure at all DPCs.
The plea also sought SOPs for storage, preservation, handling and transport of paddy during rain, flooding and other foreseeable risks.
In an interim prayer, he sought joint inspection at Patteeswaram, assessment of damaged stocks and compensation for affected farmers.
This article has been republished from The Times of India.