File picture of DMK chief M Karunanidhi
DMK president M Karunanidhi today said the party would support the Food Security Bill only if it does not affect the rights of the state.
He said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa did not oppose the bill as she had done in the case of foreign direct investment in retail but wants some amendments in the Food Security Bill.
In a statement issued in Chennai, Mr Karunanidhi said, "The DMK will support the bill only if the existing rights of the state are not affected even a bit."
He said the Centre should allow the implementation of the food security law as the states desired.
Citing Ms Jayalalithaa's letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on August 2, Mr Karunanidhi said she had suggested some amendments to the bill and had not rejected it outright.
He said under the Food Security Bill, the Centre would supply rice for below poverty line (BPL) people at Rs.3 per kg as against the current price of Rs.5.65 per kg.