New Delhi, April 13 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the controversy surrounding the paddy bonus issue, accusing him of spreading a "false narrative" and attempting to create a divide between the Centre and states.

She said that building food security requires "constructive, continuous and positive engagement" with all stakeholders, adding that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was projecting himself as a protector of farmers while distorting facts.

The row comes after Stalin claimed that a letter from the Finance Ministry to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary had suggested reviewing and discontinuing the state's paddy bonus policy. He further challenged Sitharaman to r...