Union minister's bid to placate Jayalalithaa on food bill

Tirunelveli (TN), July 11: The Food Security programme will in no way encroach on the rights of Tamil Nadu government but be useful to the state government's schemes like noon meal, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E M Sudarsana Natchiappan today said.

Talking to reporters here, he said the opposition to the programme is based on the assumption that it is an alternative to the free rice scheme of the state government.

"The Food Security Bill will not affect the sovereignty of the state government. On the other hand, the act will only subserve the Tamil Nadu government's much acclaimed schemes like noon meal and the low-priced budget canteens by catering to the needs of foodgrains and cereals," he said.

Moreover, it will ensure the allotment of foodgrains to the respective states as per their requirement, he said.

The scheme aims at giving approximately 82 crore people the right to get 5 kg of foodgrains every month at highly subsidised rates of Rs 1-3 per kg.

Tamil Nadu, which is also implementing the universal Public Distribution System (PDS), has been critical of the measure with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa describing it as a political gimmick.

On the plan to set up National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) as part of the National Manufacturing policy, he said the centre has been urged to establish one zone in Tamil Nadu also.

Asked about industrial development of southern districts of the state, he said the Tamil Nadu government must coordinate in implementation of schemes like much delayed Nanguneri IT park, Tuticorin SEZ and the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

PTI