Chennai, May 30: Tamil Nadu Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Venkataramanan has called for greater public involvement in tackling tobacco addiction and monitoring the Public Distribution System (PDS), urging citizens to report ration shop irregularities and warning of strict action against the hoarding or diversion of essential commodities.
The appeal was made during a public event held at Marina Beach to mark World No Tobacco Day, where the Minister inaugurated a tobacco awareness rally and highlighted the need for sustained efforts to reduce tobacco consumption and strengthen public health outcomes across the state.
Addressing reporters after the event, Venkataramanan said tobacco addiction continues to pose a serious public health challenge and stressed the importance of expanding awareness campaigns to discourage tobacco use, particularly among younger people.
The Minister stated that the harmful effects of tobacco have long been established and emphasized that eliminating tobacco consumption requires collective action from government agencies, institutions and the public. He said awareness initiatives remain a critical component of efforts to prevent addiction and reduce its social and health consequences.
According to the Minister, a significant number of individuals continue to suffer from tobacco dependence despite ongoing rehabilitation and de-addiction programmes. While acknowledging the role of organisations and individuals working in the field of addiction recovery, he underscored the importance of continuous public education in preventing new cases of tobacco use and promoting healthier lifestyles.
He noted that the state government remains committed to addressing public concerns and improving the delivery of welfare services. Referring to long-pending grievances raised by citizens, Venkataramanan said the administration is working systematically to resolve issues and ensure that government welfare schemes reach intended beneficiaries without unnecessary delays.
The Minister also focused on the functioning of ration shops and urged members of the public to actively report any irregularities related to the Public Distribution System. He said complaints regarding ration shops can be submitted directly to the Food and Civil Supplies Department, which will investigate every reported case.
Warning against the misuse of essential commodities distributed through the PDS, Venkataramanan stated that authorities would take immediate and stringent action if ration rice or other subsidised commodities are found to be hoarded, diverted or misused. He emphasized that maintaining transparency and accountability in the distribution system remains a priority for the department.
The remarks come as the government seeks to strengthen oversight mechanisms within the Public Distribution System while encouraging public participation in identifying irregularities that could affect beneficiaries.
During the interaction with reporters, the Minister was also asked about Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s next visit to New Delhi. However, he declined to comment on the matter.
The event formed part of World No Tobacco Day observances and served as a platform to reinforce the government’s message on public health awareness and citizen engagement in safeguarding welfare delivery systems.
