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Bengal

'No scarcity of food in Bengal, 9 cr people get rice at Rs 2 per kg'

Kolkata: There is no scarcity of food for any person in Bengal with the state government ensuring Rs 2 kg rice for nearly 9 crore people, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Stating that canard is being spread by a section of media, Banerjee said: "Around 8.5 crore to 9 crore people get rice at Rs 2 per kg in the state. Today, no one can say that someone has died due to starvation. In Jungalmahal, I had first introduced the scheme under which an individual gets rice at Rs 2 per kg. Each individual gets 8 kg rice and 3 kg wheat. So, a 5-member family gets 55 kg rice and wheat. No one can say that there is scarcity of food when such quantities of rice and wheat is being given."

"We need to buy the rice at Rs 25 to Rs 26 per kg that we distribute at Rs 2 per kg. Tea garden workers get the same at 47 paise. Rice is distributed in Singur as well. We also give Singur farmers Rs 2,000 per month, despite them getting their lands back a year ago. We must keep in mind that there are special packages for these areas," Banerjee said, adding that the state government has ensured that no one dies due to scarcity of food and treatment. "But if a person falls ill and does not take medicines prescribed by doctor, then it is not in my hand. Now, people get free treatment at state-run health care centres. So I urge people to take medicines following the advice of doctors," she said.

She also mentioned projects including Samabathy, Rupashree and Kanyashree, which have been introduced by her government for the benefit of people from all walks of life.

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