Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that she has written to the central government seeking permission for cultivation of poppy seed in West Bengal. Speaking during the budget session of the Assembly, the Chief Minister said, “Poppy seed has always been a favourite food of Bengalis. People of the state like to eat postor bora and alu posto (poppy seed recipes). But I wonder as why poppy seed is not cultivated in Bengal." The CM also urged the opposition MLAs to support her in seeking permission from the Centre. She asked the Opposition MLAs, “Why it should be cultivated in four states only? We have to buy poppy from other states. Not all poppies are addictive. The BJP MLAs should also write to the Centre on this." Banerjee claimed that the Centre is not releasing funds for procuring paddy from farmers.
