On Sunday 5 June, surveys were carried out at various retail markets in Kolkata, as part of the state government's new measures to get tough on middlemen and hoarders, who have been increasing potato prices.
Agriculture marketing minister Tapan Dasgupta met with farmer leaders on Sunday evening to encourage them to keep a watch on the market and identify people who are jacking up prices. Earlier, Times of India reported how a three-tier system of middlemen was playing havoc with potato prices, while farmers received bare minimum payments. Uttam Kundu, a farmer leader, has been entrusted with the role of creating pressure on hoarders so that enough potatoes are released in the market.
The whole-sale price of potato stood at Rs 15.60 per kg at wholesale markets on Sunday, while the same potato was sold at Rs 20 in the retail markets. "The CM has expressed her worry over the price-rise. She has also asked me to keep a close watch on the price of other vegetables," said Dasgupta.
He added, "After a few days, I will submit the final report to the chief minister detailing the roadmap to check prices in the retail markets. We cannot allow a certain section of traders to make the most out of this situation. We have already conveyed this to traders. If they do not desist from adopting unethical methods, we will take legal action, there will be enforcement of law against them."
(1 Indian Rupee=0.015USD)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
