Food bill will affect Tamil Nadu; PDS to be implemented in state

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said the Centre's move to introduce the Food Security Bill in Parliament would affect the public distribution system in the state and asserted her government would continue to implement the universal PDS.


"Currently, the Centre has come forward to introduce the Food Security Bill which will affect the existing public distribution system in the state. If the Bill is introduced, there will be deficiency of one lakh tonnes of rice in Tamil Nadu," she said.

"I have requested the Centre to make certain amendments in the Bill. However, in Tamil Nadu, the universal Public Distribution System will continue to be implemented," she said in her speech on the 67th Independence day.

Speaking after unfurling the tricolour at Fort St. George, she listed her government's 'remarkable' achievements like asking the Centre to notify the Cauvery Water Tribunal award in the Gazette and purchase of Neyveli Lignite Corporation shares on behalf of state public sector units.

"In the same way, I hope we will establish Tamil Nadu's rights on retrieving Katchatheevu Island," she said.

Noting that the government has set up several memorial halls and statutes honouring freedom fighters, Jayalalithaa said that as part of honouring them, the existing pension of Rs 7,000 given to them would be enhanced to Rs 9000 per month.

The family pension given to freedom fighters families has also been increased to Rs 4,500 from the existing Rs 3,500, she said.