Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Opposes Food Security Act Change
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the proposed amendment to the National Food Security Act, warning that it could reduce foodgrain support for poor households.
Tamil Nadu Opposes Food Security Act Amendment
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay urged the Centre to reconsider the proposed changes to the National Food Security Act, 2013, and retain the existing entitlement for Antyodaya Anna Yojana households.
Under the current system, every AAY household receives 35 kg of foodgrains per month, regardless of family size. Vijay said this provision protects the poorest families and should not be altered in a way that reduces their monthly allocation.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana Ration Concern
The proposed amendment seeks to change the entitlement to 7 kg of foodgrains per person per month, subject to a maximum of 35 kg per household. Tamil Nadu has argued that this would hurt smaller AAY households, especially one-member, two-member and three-member families.
According to the Chief Minister, the change could affect nearly 70 lakh vulnerable beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu. He said the State could face a reduction of about 42,040 metric tonnes in foodgrain allocation if the proposal is implemented.
Vijay Urges Centre To Retain 35 Kg Quota
Vijay said the Antyodaya Anna Yojana was designed to support the poorest of the poor and should not be diluted through entitlement changes. He requested the Prime Minister to retain the existing 35 kg monthly foodgrain quota for every AAY household.
The issue is likely to become a key Centre-State welfare debate, as food security remains a major concern for low-income families dependent on subsidised grain distribution.
