West Bengal govt extends food security to 8.5 cr people: Mamata Banarjee

The West Bengal government has ensured food security to more than 8.5 crore people of the state under the 'Khadya Sathi' scheme, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Tuesday.

Special assistance is also being given to the people of Jangalmahal and Hill areas besides Aila-affected areas and farmers of Singur, tea garden workers as well as the Toto tribe, she said on the World Food Day.

Under the scheme, launched in 2016, the beneficiaries get rice and wheat at Rs two per kg.

"Today is #WorldFoodDay. We have ensured the food security of more than 8.5 crore people of #Bangla through Khadya Sathi Scheme," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

"Special assistance is also provided to the people of Jangalmahal and Hill areas, Aila-affected areas, farmers of Singur, tea garden workers & Toto tribe," she added.

The World Food Day is celebrated worldwide on this day to celebrate founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 1945. It is a day of action dedicated to tackle global hunger.

-PTI