Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs, K.V. Thomas, on Saturday said that he was trying to meet Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to discuss the National Food Security Bill.
Addressing a session at the second day of the Editors' Conference on Social Sector Issues here, he said that Ms. Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre with her comments on the proposal.
“The State will only benefit from the Bill. We will give rice at a lower price… The Bill only specifies the minimum entitlement. It does not, in any way, restrict the State governments from further extending it to other categories.” Mr. Thomas said that he also planned to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Asked whether the government was considering making the Bill optional for States, he said that no decision had been taken.
He was not for cash transfers replacing the supply of food grain.
“Our aim is to provide nutritious food and give minimum support price to farmers,” he added.
His ministry was encouraging local bodies and public distribution shops to create localised storage spaces for food grains.
