Planning Commission ‘overstepping’ its advisory on DBTS: TN CM

Tamil Nadu government on Monday charged the Planning Commission with ‘overstepping’ its advisory and allocational mandate and adopting ‘executive role’ by issuing directives on a number of issues related to the direct benefit transfer scheme. Her government was ‘strongly opposed’ to any move to monetise and transfer in cash the subsidy element of foodgrains and kerosene under the public distribution system and supply of fertilisers and other inputs to farmers. Not just the quantum of subsidy but the access to and timely availability of commodities were the main concerns, she said, adding food and energy security cannot be compromised. Her government accused the Centre of  attempting to ‘insidiously bypass state governments’ through the scheme.