Potato storage deadline may be extended
The state government which has just announced a Rs 10 crore subsidy on export of potato, might also extend the deadline to store the cash crop in cold storages beyond the December 15 deadline.
“We understand that 10 lakh tonne of potato is lying with the cold storages due to bumper crop and the subsidy announcement should have come earlier. In these circumtances, we may extend the deadline to allow potato to be kept in cold storages,” Agriculture Marketing minister Arup Roy said while addressing the AGM of the West Bengal Cold Storage Association.
The state government has extended the deadline for storage of potato till December 15. Usually cold storages are cleared and kept closed for maintainence from November 15 to February 15.
Roy said the government would offer export subsidy of Rs 2 per kg for transport by non-refrigerated vans and Rs 3 per kg for refrigerated vans.
Roy acknowledged that though the potato price at the cold store point was Rs 2 a kg, but the consumer price remained at Rs 8 a kg.
The government has decided to make higher use of potato in mid-day meal.