On I-Day Jaya fires fresh salvo at food security bill
17 Aug 2013 4:25 AM IST
Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday came down heavily against the proposed food security bill and hoped that India will soon regain its rights over the Katchatheevu island that was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974.
She declared that Tamil Nadu will keep the public distribution system (PDS) going in order to address issues related to the poor.
‘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.
Coming to the question of the disputed island, she said, ‘I have faith in re-establishing our rights in Katchatheevu,’ after unfurling the national flag at the state secretariat Fort St. George.
Katchatheevu is located in the narrow sea dividing India and Sri Lanka. The sea near it is said to be rich in marine life, leading to frequent clashes between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.
This year, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution urging the central government to revoke the Katchatheevu transfer agreement.
She increased the freedom fighter’s pension by Rs.2,000 to Rs.9,000 and the freedom fighter’s family pension to Rs.4,500 from Rs.3,500.
Coming down heavily on the central government and its economic policies, Jayalalithaa said these had affected people from all walks of life.
She said the rupee devaluation and higher oil prices had impacted the people.
Her government, she said, was taking steps like free rice to poor, selling rice and vegetables through cooperative stores, setting up ‘Amma Canteen’ that sell subsidised food and others.
Jayalalithaa said several steps were being taken to usher in a second green revolution in the state.
During the event she also 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.
Independence Day was celebrated across the state as district collectors unfurled the tricolour.
In many schools, students turned out early in the morning with mini national flags pinned on their uniforms.
She declared that Tamil Nadu will keep the public distribution system (PDS) going in order to address issues related to the poor.
‘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.
Coming to the question of the disputed island, she said, ‘I have faith in re-establishing our rights in Katchatheevu,’ after unfurling the national flag at the state secretariat Fort St. George.
Katchatheevu is located in the narrow sea dividing India and Sri Lanka. The sea near it is said to be rich in marine life, leading to frequent clashes between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.
This year, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution urging the central government to revoke the Katchatheevu transfer agreement.
She increased the freedom fighter’s pension by Rs.2,000 to Rs.9,000 and the freedom fighter’s family pension to Rs.4,500 from Rs.3,500.
Coming down heavily on the central government and its economic policies, Jayalalithaa said these had affected people from all walks of life.
She said the rupee devaluation and higher oil prices had impacted the people.
Her government, she said, was taking steps like free rice to poor, selling rice and vegetables through cooperative stores, setting up ‘Amma Canteen’ that sell subsidised food and others.
Jayalalithaa said several steps were being taken to usher in a second green revolution in the state.
During the event she also 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.
Independence Day was celebrated across the state as district collectors unfurled the tricolour.
In many schools, students turned out early in the morning with mini national flags pinned on their uniforms.
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