Jayalalithaa trashes Food Bill

CHENNAI: Strongly opposing the draft National Food Security Bill, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday urged PM Manmohan Singh to exempt Tamil Nadu from the purview of the Bill as the State has been implementing Universal Public Distribution System (UPDS) successfully for many years.“The proposed Bill on food security is replete with confusion and inaccuracy. The proposed classification of target groups into Priority House Holds and and General House Holds would...invite sharp criticism and furious opposition from everybody...,” she said in her letter to the PM. “The basis of such classification is unscientific and unacceptable,” the CM added. “In a federal structure like ours where the States are in close and direct contact with the people, the choice of designing and implementing...welfare schemes is best left to ...States. The Centre should not attempt or be seen to attempt encroaching into the domains of the States,” Jayalalithaa said.Stating that the Bill aimed for food security through Targeted Public Distribution System and nutritional support to vulnerable sections like pregnant women, lactating mothers and children aged six months to 14 years, the CM said through UPDS, the State has been able to address food security for all without exception.