India, July 14 -- The Food Corporation of India (FCI) on Monday said its probe into the alleged diversion of subsidised rice meant for ethanol production in Madhya Pradesh was limited to 242.50 quintals, valued at around Rs.5.63 lakh.

The Central government agency rejected reports claiming that 5 lakh tonnes of rice worth Rs.1,160 crore were illegally diverted in the state, calling them "not only factually incorrect but also completely baseless", PTI news agency reported.

The corporation said the Rs.1,160 crore figure referred to the total value of rice legally supplied to distilleries under the ethanol blending programme and cannot be treated as the value of the alleged diversion.

FCI supplied 2.98 lakh tonnes of rice to Madhya Prades...