PDS will prevail in TN: Jayalalithaa

Slams Centre for anti-people policies, says her state will lose 100,000 tonnes foodgrains due to Food Security Bill

The public distribution system (PDS) would continue in the state even as it is set to lose around 100,000 tonne foodgrains due to the proposed Food Security Bill, said chief minister J Jayalalithaa .

In her Independence Day address on Thursday, the chief minister came down heavily on the Centre alleging that its wrong economic policies had impacted the people.

“The Centre's wrong policies have affected people of all walks of life,” she said. She also listed some of the state government steps to address the inflation, including free rice through PDS, giving palm oil and other essential commodities at subsidised rates, selling rice and vegetables through cooperative stores and setting up of Amma Canteen that sells subsidised food among  others.

On industrial development, she said, the state government had signed 17 MoUs, which will generate employment to around 200,000 people. The government would develop industrial parks in southern parts of Tamil Nadu and provide incentives to units which will set up their facilities in these parks.

Jayalalithaa said to usher in the second green revolution in the state several steps like provision of subsidies to farmers to install drip irrigation systems were being taken.

She said resolving labour problem, which occurred due to the divestment proposal, at Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, putting across state’s position strongly in the apex court on the issue of Mullaperiyar dam and the gazette notification of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award were some of her government's achievements.

“I have faith in reestablishing our rights in Katchatheevu,” said the chief minister. In 1991, the state Assembly passed a resolution to this effect and again in 2013, it passed another resolution urging the central government to revoke the Katchatheevu transfer agreement.

Katchatheevu is located in the narrow sea dividing India and Sri Lanka. India ceded the islet to Sri Lanka in 1974. The sea near the islet is said to be rich in marine life, leading to frequent clashes between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.