The recent controversy in Tamil Nadu over paddy procurement during the short-term kuruvai season has only strengthened the need for a relook at the procurement system of foodgrains as a whole. In this case — as in many States — the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC), which procures paddy on behalf of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), found itself in a spot because of time overruns and charges of corruption. One of the reasons cited is the rise in the coverage of the crop during the season, by about two lakh acres, which was known as early as mid-August. This is because farmers feel it is a safe bet to grow paddy rather than other crops due to minimum assured returns.