Chidambaram dismisses opposition over food bill

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today dismissed the opposition to food security scheme, saying it has been introduced to benefit country's poor by providing them foodgrains at subsidised rates.
On Tamil Nadu government's opposition to the scheme, the Finance Minister sought the cooperation from people.
"In Parliament, we have brought in few revolutionary schemes including the National Food Security bill. From the scheme about 80 crore people are expected to benefit.
"They can get 25 kg rice per month at the rate of Rs 3 per kg. The government have brought it after much struggle", he said, while inaugurating the 1500th branch of Dena Bank at Tiruppuvanam in the district.

"However, it was opposed by Tamil Nadu government. To implement the scheme in Tamil Nadu, you (people) should do some thing", he said.
Chidambaram also referred to the land acquisition bill passed by the Parliament, and said the legislation aims to ensure that farmers are provided with just and fair compensation and no land is acquired forcibly.

"We have brought in land acquisition Bill to benefit a large number of people. Earlier, when land was needed, government would take it from the land owners and pay guideline value fixed by the government."
"But, now the government has to give four times higher price prevailing in the local market for the land. When government is getting land from farmers, they (farmers) have to make an alternative arrangement for living," he said.

Chidambaram said State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Citi Bank have opened branches here.
"Now one more bank (Dena Bank) is opened. It means, bank requirement is here. Those who are not able to get loans could avail it without difficulty now", he said.
Dena Bank had made a profit of about Rs 710 crore last year. In the first quarter of this fiscal it made a profit Rs 189 crore, he said.