Situation regarding potatoes is a result of mismanagement: Sinha

Says the state and central governments are to blame for the situation

Yashwant Sinha said the ongoing tuber crisis in West Bengal was a result of mismanagement by authorities, both at the state government and central government level.

"The situation regarding potatoes, or onions in Delhi, is a result of mismanagement. Production is there, but it is not reaching the market and the government is not doing enough to make sure it does so. It is not like there is a sudden shortage of potatoes across the country. Both, the state and central governments are to blame for this situation," added Sinha.

Due to the ongoing crisis, prices of potatoes have soared in the market, while the Bengal chief minister has ordered a ban on exporting it to states like Odisha. This has impacted markets in Odisha, as well.

Mamata Banerjee herself has swung into action and has taken charge of the state agri-marketing department, with a strong caution to traders who are creating the problem in the state. The chief minister visited local vegetable markets on Wednesday.

Government counters, including the counters being run by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, have started selling the jyoti variety of potato at Rs 13 for a kilogram. This has resulted in people standing in long queues to get the tuber at a viable rate, set by the chief minister herself.

According to Sinha, a ban on potato exports by Banerjee is likely to be temporary and things would change once the situation becomes better.