Potato crisis in Bengal begins to ease

The crisis in potato supply in the retail market in West Bengal has begun to ease as cold storages have started releasing the tuber, though it can meet only half the demand. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took over temporary charge of the agriculture marketing ministry yesterday in view of the  Gravity of the situation.  "Today an estimated 5,000 tonnes of potato has been dispatched from cold storages. The quantity was 3,000 tonnes yesterday," West Bengal Cold Storage Association President Ramapada Paul told PTI.

The potato demand for the entire state is estimated to be 10,000-12000 tonne a day. Paul said there is no special direction so far and the government has asked to clear the cold storages by November 30, a normal practise. He said the slow dispatch potato is due to lack of cold storage labourers."With the three day strike by potato traders ending and the bhai dhuj holiday over, labourers have started coming back to work. "So, it is also an issue of low offtake of potato from cold storages."

The state government is selling potato at Rs 13 a kg for the Jyoti variety with the association's help. The local TMC offices were seen selling potato, seized during raids, at government rates. There were reports that people had to stand in queue for 30-45 mintues in various markets to buy potato at government rates.

Police said at least 100 trucks had been seized so far from the borders with neigbhouring states border since the government alert. Marketmen said potato is an open market commodity and if price is Rs  30 in neighbouring states it is difficult to stop traders from taking price arbitrage benefit. Meanwhile, leader of the opposition Suryakanta Mishra today said the state governmnt should own responsibility for the crisis. "Intervention of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has aggrevated the situation and the government should take strong measures to release stock from hoarders," he told reporters here.