Adani Wilmar Ltd (AWL) has confirmed it has “taken” a rice-processing unit in Burdwan but said it has no plans to purchase more such units in Bengal and that it intends to work closely with farmers in the state to promote locally grown rice varieties.

Quoting mill industry sources, The Telegraph had reported on Monday that AWL had collected information about 20 other non-performing and closed rice-processing units in the district and the company planned to acquire more such units.

“We would like to bring to your notice that this statement is completely false and baseless, and the company doesn’t have any plan to purchase any further units in the state and neither they have scouted for any plants as mentioned in the article,” an AWL spokesperson said on Monday.

“We have taken one small rice-processing unit at Burdwan which was closed, sick and in custody of a bank. This step is an attempt to stand committed to the agriculture sector in West Bengal and to work towards the improvement of agri value chain. At Adani Wilmar, we intend to work closely with the local farmers and promote locally grown rice varieties. We also wish to encourage sound practices, reduced wastage at storage and supply chain, ensuring fair prices.”

Several rice mill owners had expressed apprehensions about the entry of a big corporate house into the sector. A CPM-affiliated peasants’ body had begun protests, claiming a threat to farmers.