WB potato traders demand compensation for rotting tuber

Demanding compensation for several thousand tonnes of "rotten" potato, seized during clampdown operation at inter-state checkpoints, the West Bengal Progressive Potato Traders Association today called for talks with the government.
"Following the crack down on outstation vehicles carrying potato, tonnes and tonnes of tuber are rotting after seizure and we are incurring losses, West Bengal Progressive Potato Traders Association (Poschim Bango Progitisil Alubyabsayee Samity) spokesman Baren Mondal said after a meeting of office-bearers at Becharhat here.
The association maintained the state-fixed rate of selling Rs 14/kg potato was not feasible as the traders had to cough up Rs 1250/quintal which included the Rs 900/quintal rate and Rs 350/quintal expense for transportation and others.

If the talks failed or the government didnot respond, the association will resort to three-day ceasework by potato traders (which means halt in any business activities) from August 19 and a bigger agitation later on, he said.