FCI denies foodgrain shortage in Bengal

Food Corporation of India on Wednesday said West Bengal, where some fair price shop dealers were attacked by mobs over shortage of foodgrains yesterday, has enough stocks to last 60 days.

"There is no problem in any district of West Bengal as far as availability of wheat and rice is concerned," FCI Chairman and Managing Director Alok Sinha told reporters.

He said the state has a stock position of 60 days in rice and wheat, which are distributed through public distribution system. Violent mobs had yesterday attacked fair price shop or ration shop dealers in Birbhum district of West Bengal yesterday, which led to a dealer's son allegedly committing

suicide.

The agitation against ration dealers broke out in Bankura district on September 16 and spread to Birbhum, Burdwan and Mushidabad districts claiming five lives, including two in police firing.

The FCI CMD said the offtake (lifting the foodgrain) of the state was lower against the Central allocation during August and September. He said the attack on ration dealers may be because of some other reasons.

The Centre has a total stock of 52.43 lakh tonnes of rice and 99.11 lakh tonnes of wheat as on October 1 this year. Out of these, West Bengal has a stock position of 1.70 lakh tonnes of rice and 2.33 lakh tonnes of wheat under Central pool.