Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday said the State would incur an additional liability of Rs.200 crore annually if there was further delay in legislating the Central government's proposed National Food Security Bill.
Speaking at the valedictory function of the World Food Security Day observance, Mr. Chandy said the Central Bill proposed to give rice to the poor at Rs.3 per kg.
The State government had set apart Rs.450 crore to give rice to the poor at Rs.2 per kg. The subsidy scheme required an annual outlay of Rs.680 crore. The Central government offered a subsidy of Rs.2,300 crore for various items sold to ration-card holders in the State.
K. Muraleedheeran, MLA, presided. Civil Supplies Commissioner K.R. Muralidheeran, director M.S. Jaya and municipal councillor Leelama Isaac were present.
