Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday dismissed rumors that eating tilapia fish causes cancer and urged people to eat it without any fear.

"Does eating tilapia fish have any negative effects on the body?" Banerjee asked bureaucrats during a meeting at the state secretariat.

Upon receiving confirmation from authorities that there was no evidence to support the rumor, he questioned why action was not taken against those responsible for spreading such misinformation.

"Eat tilapia without any fear. Consuming this fish does not cause cancer. Who spread this false news? Why was no action taken against them?" CM said.

He also directed the bureaucrats to release tilapia fish in ponds under the 'Jal Bharo, Jal Dharo' scheme.