The Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs, Mr. K V Thomas has said that his ministry is prepared to discuss the proposed National Food Security Bill with West Bengal and Tamil Nadu which are opposed to it. He said, he would soon meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and discuss the matter. Mr. Thomas was addressing the concluding session of the Editors conference in Puducherry.

Referring to Tamil Nadu, the Minister said the state would stand to benefit by the bill in its universal PDS scheme. He said, right now, Tamil Nadu is procuring 25 kg of rice at five rupees from the Centre as subsidy but after the bill is passed, they will be able to get 35 kg of rice at only three rupees as subsidy. The Minister stressed the need to modernise the PDS system with the assistance of state governments.