In an attempt to bring down the price of potatoes, the chief minister of India's Bengal asked traders to release 50% of the potatoes in cold stores.
This is to combat consistently high potato prices that did not come down from Rs 24 kg ($0.29 kg) and bring some relief for consumers. Chief minister Mamata Banarjee urged traders to not keep potatoes in store much longer. She offered them a subsidy of storage costs in return.
She has also warned traders if they do not release the potatoes from stores the government will take stern measures, even selling it at below market prices if needed.