The Tamil Nadu government today said it will consider demands to distribute coconut oil instead of palmolein oil in fair price shops.
Replying to a set of questions raised by AIADMK and Congress MLAs in the assembly in this regard, Food Minister R Kamaraj said he would take the matter to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for consideration.
His response came to queries from Thangatamil Selvan and Pollachi V Jayaraman (both AIADMK) and John Jacob (Congress) who said the move would not only help drough-affected coconut farmers, but also ensure the ‘nutritious’ food is consumed by people.
Selvan said coconut oil was extensively used in neighbouring Kerala for its nutrition value while Jayaraman claimed that a “wrong” campaign was being held that coconut oil was not good for health.