Overview
- On October 22, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami inspected direct purchase centres in Kattur, Orathanadu and Mannargudi, promising to take farmers’ complaints to the government.
- Palaniswami alleged daily procurement was below 800 bags and accused the ruling party of inflating figures previously presented in the Assembly.
- Food Minister R. Sakkarapani, after reviewing a storage facility near Thanjavur, disputed the claims, stating about 1,000 bags are collected daily and storage capacity is being augmented.
- Agriculture Minister M. R. K. Panneerselvam said orders were issued to prevent open storage and to use available godowns, including sugar mills, for incoming paddy bags.
- Farmers reported moisture damage and sprouting in kuruvai harvests across parts of the Cauvery delta, as Palaniswami urged immediate collection of an estimated 30 lakh affected bags, a figure he advanced.