Agriculture Minister Vinod Kumar on Saturday warned that strict action would be taken if any rice smuggling is detected. He said there was no evidence that rice sacks were being smuggled abroad.
The minister was speaking to reporters after launching a scheme at the Chandrasekarapuram Cooperative Wholesale Store’s self-service section in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, where fine rice is being sold at Rs 30 per kg.
He said the government is carrying out precautionary works ahead of the northeast monsoon, including repairs and desilting of irrigation and drainage channels and restoration of water bodies.
On cultivation, he said a target of 8 lakh acres has been set for samba. Due to factors such as El Niño and delayed water availability, some farmers have started cultivation late, and water releases will be based on the storage level in the Mettur dam.
He also referred to reports of continued attacks on T.Ve.K. functionaries, stating that those at fault would be punished and that the law would take its course. Earlier, officials noticed that rice packets did not carry the Chief Minister’s photo; they procured small stickers of Chief Minister Vijay’s image and affixed them before distributing the packets to the public.
