Kolkata: Amid the escalating furor of potato prices in West
Bengal, the state Agricultural Minister Tapan Dasgupta on Monday conducted a
survey at different retail markets in Kolkata in order to prevent the
unnecessary hoardings of the vegetable.
According to EXIN Times, the wholesale price of potatoes is
Rs. 12 per kg while in the retail markets it is available for Rs. 18 per kg.
Following the surveys in different locations, Dasgupta shifted the responsibility
of rising price issue of potatoes to the Opposition, allegedly saying that they
are ‘spreading lies about potato prices.’
“We are monitoring the situation daily. Meetings have
already been held with traders, cold storage association and officers,” said
few CPIM leaders regarding the prices of potatoes. The Opposition leaders
claimed that the potatoes are getting sold at markets with Rs. 26 per kg while
it was found to be getting sold by Rs. 18 per kg.
Following the claims by the Opposition leaders, the
agricultural minister said that they are holding district level meetings
frequently to stop increasing potato rates in the state. The step by the Agriculture
Minister was followed by a direction
from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued yesterday saying that the ministry
will step forward to cut down the benefits of middlemen. “We would not allow
middlemen to take advantage of the situation and increase prices,” said CM
Banerjee on Monday.
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