Tamil Nadu Government has asked those helping the destitute with food on their own to give them through the district administrations. In a press release issued in Chennai today, it is mentioned that volunteers have not been banned outright from distributing relief materials and cooked food to those in need. It  said the government only wanted to prevent the spread of the virus by way of people in an unregulated manner handing over relief materials.<br />''<br />''The clarification comes in the wake of a controversy over reports of the government banning private volunteers carrying out relief activities. Meanwhile, the State Food and Consumer Affairs Department claims that paddy harvested by farmers is being procured from them without any hassles despite the current lockdown.<br />''<br />''AIR correspondent reports, the State Agriculture Department has said nearly 21 lakh metric tonnes paddy has been procured this season till last Friday which is 4.5 lakh metric tonnes more as compared to the same season last year. The government expects an additional seven lakh tons more paddy to be procured in the days to come. With the realization of the additional paddy, the government says it would surpass the previous year records. In far flung areas, there are charges of agri and horticultural produces getting stuck up due to logistics issues and the district administrations are addressing the problems. <br />''<br />''<br />