India has surplus grains stock of 539 lakh tonnes, no shortage in future: Ram Vilas Paswan

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday said that India has surplus grains stock of 539 lakh tonnes and there will be no shortage of foodgrains in the future.

"We have surplus grain stock of 539 lakh tonnes. There will no shortage in the future. We have asked all state governments to distribute ration to the poor in their states. The government has clearly said that no poor should be hungry," Paswan told .

His statement came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a veiled attack at the Centre, said that poor people are dying due to starvation and the government is busy making a stiser from their share of rice.

"When will India's poor wake up? You are dying due to starvation and they are engaged in disinfecting the hands of the rich by making a stiser from your share of rice," Gandhi tweeted in Hindi today citing a news article.

Responding to this, Paswan said it is "negative thinking" and not good for the country. He stated that Gandhi should rather say that stisers and masks should be given to the poor.

( With inputs from ANI )