
AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Wednesday questioned whether Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's observations against corruption at paddy direct purchase centres (DPCs) should be dismissed like film dialogues. Dhinakaran cited a…
AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Wednesday questioned whether Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's observations against corruption at paddy direct purchase centres (DPCs) should be dismissed like film dialogues. Dhinakaran cited a bribe of ₹50 per bag being demanded at a DPC near Panruti in Cuddalore district, alleging that despite disciplinary action after Food Minister P. Venkataramanan's visit last month, corrupt practices continued, leaving farmers hopeless.

In a separate post, Dhinakaran flagged delays in issuing production orders for the government's Pongal scheme distributing free dhotis and sarees to the poor. He noted orders are normally issued in July but, though August is ending and ₹300 crore was sanctioned for the initial phase, no orders have been given, threatening livelihoods for nearly three lakh weavers. He urged immediate government action.
T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s attack on the ruling DMK-led government comes as Tamil Nadu’s paddy procurement season faces scrutiny. The direct purchase centres, a key price-support mechanism for farmers, have long been a flashpoint for allegations of underpayment and bribery. The government’s own food minister visited centres last month, indicating awareness of the problem, but Dhinakaran’s framing of the CM’s rhetoric as empty “punch dialogues” highlights a deepening political trust deficit on rural delivery. Separately, the Pongal free cloth scheme, an annual entitlement for the poor, risks weaver livelihoods if orders stay delayed. The state’s commitment to disburse ₹300 crore is the next signal to watch for actual supply chain movement.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.