Saurabh Mukherjee
Potato traders in West Bengal have announced a strike starting Monday night in protest against the state government’s decision to suspend potato exports to other states.
The strike decision followed a meeting between the Cold Storage Owners Association and potato traders. Lalu Mukhopadhyay, state secretary of the Potato Traders Association, confirmed the move, citing challenges posed by the export restrictions, PTI reported.
West Bengal recently reintroduced curbs on potato exports to neighbouring states in an effort to control soaring local prices, with potatoes retailing at Rs 35–40 per kg. The government has intensified border surveillance to enforce the ban, leaving many trucks stranded at inter-state crossings.
Despite efforts by state officials, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Minister of State for Agriculture Marketing Becharam Manna, to address the price hike, the situation remains unresolved. Minister Manna, aiming to cap prices at Rs 30 per kg, attributed the price surge to delayed cultivation caused by natural calamities.
However, traders argue that the export ban may worsen the problem by reducing income for farmers and disrupting market dynamics.
The government has ordered cold storages to release their stock and has extended the storage deadline by a month, until the end of the year. Currently, approximately 6.5 lakh tons of potatoes remain unsold from the 63.5 lakh tons harvested this year.
Chief Secretary Manoj Pant reiterated the government's stance at a meeting with task force officials and traders, stating unequivocally that no potatoes would be exported to other states until the state’s demands are met.
He also criticized traders for their role in the price spike and directed inspections to ensure fair pricing for essential commodities such as potatoes and onions.
Shubojit Saha, state president of the Cold Storage Owners Association, voiced support for the strike, warning that prolonged restrictions could harm farmers by reducing their earnings.
The state government's ban on potato exports has escalated into a political issue, drawing sharp reactions from neighbouring Jharkhand. Reacting to the situation, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey dismissed concerns over the impact on his state.
Pandey told IANS, “How will the stoppage of potato supply from Bengal affect Jharkhand? The price increase of four rupees has happened for a couple of days... Potatoes are also coming from neighbouring Bihar and Uttar Pradesh."
"We would like our local farmers to get a fair price for their produce. Now, our local farmers' potatoes will be sold...," he added.
Traders and cold storage owners also expressed anger over the seizure of potato-laden trucks and legal action against drivers enforcing the ban.
While the government assures sufficient potato stocks to last until mid-January, tensions between authorities and traders continue to escalate, leaving both farmers and consumers uncertain about the future of potato prices in the state.
The strike decision followed a meeting between the Cold Storage Owners Association and potato traders. Lalu Mukhopadhyay, state secretary of the Potato Traders Association, confirmed the move, citing challenges posed by the export restrictions, PTI reported.
West Bengal recently reintroduced curbs on potato exports to neighbouring states in an effort to control soaring local prices, with potatoes retailing at Rs 35–40 per kg. The government has intensified border surveillance to enforce the ban, leaving many trucks stranded at inter-state crossings.
Despite efforts by state officials, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Minister of State for Agriculture Marketing Becharam Manna, to address the price hike, the situation remains unresolved. Minister Manna, aiming to cap prices at Rs 30 per kg, attributed the price surge to delayed cultivation caused by natural calamities.
However, traders argue that the export ban may worsen the problem by reducing income for farmers and disrupting market dynamics.
The government has ordered cold storages to release their stock and has extended the storage deadline by a month, until the end of the year. Currently, approximately 6.5 lakh tons of potatoes remain unsold from the 63.5 lakh tons harvested this year.
Chief Secretary Manoj Pant reiterated the government's stance at a meeting with task force officials and traders, stating unequivocally that no potatoes would be exported to other states until the state’s demands are met.
He also criticized traders for their role in the price spike and directed inspections to ensure fair pricing for essential commodities such as potatoes and onions.
Shubojit Saha, state president of the Cold Storage Owners Association, voiced support for the strike, warning that prolonged restrictions could harm farmers by reducing their earnings.
The state government's ban on potato exports has escalated into a political issue, drawing sharp reactions from neighbouring Jharkhand. Reacting to the situation, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey dismissed concerns over the impact on his state.
Pandey told IANS, “How will the stoppage of potato supply from Bengal affect Jharkhand? The price increase of four rupees has happened for a couple of days... Potatoes are also coming from neighbouring Bihar and Uttar Pradesh."
"We would like our local farmers to get a fair price for their produce. Now, our local farmers' potatoes will be sold...," he added.
Traders and cold storage owners also expressed anger over the seizure of potato-laden trucks and legal action against drivers enforcing the ban.
While the government assures sufficient potato stocks to last until mid-January, tensions between authorities and traders continue to escalate, leaving both farmers and consumers uncertain about the future of potato prices in the state.
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