Kolkata, Sept. 23 -- The West Bengal government is considering launching its own edible oil brand as part of an effort to contain prices and strengthen the cooperative sector, state Panchayats and Rural Development and Animal Resources Development Minister Dilip Ghosh said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a programme marking the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between IIT Kharagpur and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Ghosh said the proposed initiative could also provide a stronger market linkage for oilseed farmers in the state.

"The cooperative movement was badly affected by corruption up to the grassroots level. Huge funds of cooperatives were looted and the rural economy suffered during the tenure of the erstwhile ...