The Centre, in a communication to the state government earlier, had said it would reduce the monthly supply of wheat of 1.22 lakh tonne by 50 per cent from March to May. It had also asked the state to raise the remaining 60 lakh tonne from the international
market.
Bhattacharjee has requested the Centre to reimburse the money the state government would incur for importing wheat in May and June.
“I would request you to appreciate the difficulties the state government would face if only 50 per cent of the wheat is given to us during this period. I would, therefore, also request that the state be allotted the full quota of wheat for PDS, i.e. 1,21,514 tonne per month for March and April and for May and June, we shall import wheat from the international market. However, the Government of India may reimburse the total cost, which would be involved in purchasing of such wheat from the international market. I request you to kindly pass appropriate orders,” the chief minister stated in his letter.