Won’t allow certain section of traders to make most out of this situation: WB Govt on Potato price

Kolkata, June 7 (KNN) Deciding to act “tough” against the middlemen and hoarders jacking up potato prices in the domestic market, Mamata Banerjee government has said that certain section of traders would not be allowed to make most out of this situation.

The Trinamool Government has decided to act tough against middlemen and hoarders, who have been jacking up potato prices.

Under the instruction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, agriculture marketing minister Tapan Dasgupta carried out a survey in various retail markets on Sunday . Apart from carrying out raids, the department officials may also sell potatoes at a controlled price, according to an official release.

On Sunday evening, the Minister met farmer leaders so that they keep a watch on the market and identify people who are jacking up prices.

“The CM has expressed her worry over the price-rise. She has also asked me to keep a close watch on the price of other vegetables,” said Dasgupta.

He added, “After a few days, I will submit the final report to the Chief Minister detailing the roadmap to check prices in the retail markets. We cannot allow a certain section of traders to make the most out of this situation. We have already conveyed this to traders. If they do not desist from adopting unethical methods, we will take legal action against them”.

Last year, Bengal, the second biggest potato producer after Uttar Pradesh, saw a bumper harvest at 1.10 crore tonnes. This year, the production has just touched 90 lakh tonnes.

The widening gap between demand and supply is leading to surge in the price of potatoes in the domestic market.