TN minister P Venkataraman defends remark linking rice to social status

Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.

Tamil Nadu Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataraman on Friday, October 16, defended his controversial remarks linking urban consumers’ preference for premium rice varieties to social status. His comments were made in the backdrop of criticism against the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led government over rising rice prices.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on October 15, the minister had said that consumers in urban areas preferred Karnataka Ponni and Andhra Ponni rice partly because of their social standing (samuga anthasthu), rather than necessity. He attributed the increase in prices to limited supplies of these varieties, maintaining that rice cultivated in Tamil Nadu continued to be available at normal rates.

In an attempt to clarify his statement a day later on October 16, Venkataraman said his reference to social status was intended to explain the consumption patterns of urban residents. He also stressed on his supposed familiarity with the challenges faced by ordinary consumers, saying he had consumed ration rice since birth.

The minister blamed hoarding by certain political leaders and rice mill owners allegedly associated with political parties for contributing to the shortage of premium rice varieties and the subsequent price rise. He called for the current increase in rice prices to be assessed against data from the past five years.

According to Venkataraman, around 90% of people in rural areas purchase commodities using ration cards, while the impact of rising prices is more evident in urban centres.

He said district-level committees had been established to curb hoarding and assured consumers that palm oil distribution was proceeding smoothly.

The minister added that fine varieties of Ponni rice grown in Tamil Nadu were being sold at Rs 60 per kg through cooperative supermarkets. Consumers facing higher market prices could also purchase rice and tur dal from cooperative outlets and Amudham departmental stores, he said.