Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, December 4, 2024, Kolkata : In a bold move to tackle the growing issue of potato smuggling and soaring prices, Minister Becharam Manna has pledged to carry out surprise visits to key locations along the Bengal-Odisha border. On Tuesday, Manna made an unexpected trip to Dantan in West Midnapore, an area where numerous goods vehicles travel between Bengal and Odisha, a hotspot for illicit trade. He vowed to maintain a night watch if necessary, to curb the smuggling of potatoes out of the state, adding that his surprise visit on Wednesday would be kept secret for strategic reasons.
During his statements, Minister Manna revealed alarming figures regarding the scale of the smuggling operation. Between September 3 and December 2, an estimated 8,43,294 metric tonnes of potatoes were illegally exported out of Bengal. According to Manna, these smuggling activities are driving up prices within the state, adding pressure on local consumers. He also accused certain potato traders of using strikes as a tactic to create shortages and pressure the government into allowing potatoes to be shipped out of the state.
“The traders are trying to destabilize the market and create artificial shortages to pressure the government into allowing illegal exports,” Manna said. He further alleged that a substantial quantity of potatoes was being smuggled into Bangladesh through various border points, including Maitapur in Malda, Hili in South Dinajpur, and Changrabandha in Cooch Behar.
The minister was particularly vocal about the involvement of some political leaders in the scheme, accusing BJP and CPI(M) leaders of collaborating with the traders to undermine the state government’s efforts. “There are attempts to malign the state government’s image by creating an artificial potato shortage and causing unnecessary trouble for the people,” he stated.
In response to the situation, Manna assured that the state government is committed to taking decisive actions to protect the interests of consumers. “We are prepared to take tough decisions in the public’s interest. The government is investigating the matter thoroughly, and we are monitoring the situation closely,” he affirmed.
As part of the government’s ongoing efforts to regulate the potato market, Manna revealed that an investigation is already underway to determine the amount of potato being stored in 40 cold storage facilities across districts like Paschim Medinipur, Burdwan, Bankura, and Hooghly. These cold storages, he explained, are central to understanding how much potato is being hoarded by traders, and how much is being held back from the market.
Furthermore, the minister shared that the Progressive Potato Traders Association had been instructed in September to provide potatoes at a wholesale rate of 26 taka per kg, but had failed to comply. Manna added that the government had obtained critical data, including a list of traders’ names, phone numbers, and invoices from districts like Hooghly and Burdwan, which would aid in further investigation.
The minister also provided key data on potato production, revealing that the total production of potatoes in 2024 stands at 58,08,400 metric tonnes, but the recent cyclone Dana and other natural disasters had delayed the cultivation of new potatoes by up to 15 days. He explained that the state would have to wait until January 10-15 for the new crop, while old potatoes would have to be harvested for an additional 40-45 days.
“The state needs around 18,000 metric tonnes of potatoes every day. Kolkata alone consumes about 5,000 metric tonnes,” Manna said. He also highlighted the discrepancy in pricing, stating that unscrupulous traders are buying potatoes from farmers at 650 rupees per sack and reselling them at 1,000 to 1,070 rupees, making exorbitant profits.
“This kind of profiteering will not be tolerated,” Manna asserted, warning that the administration would take strict action against anyone involved in such illegal practices.
The minister’s statement also touched upon the current state of potato supply, emphasizing that there were enough potatoes available to meet the state’s needs, but certain traders were deliberately holding back stock to manipulate prices. “We will not allow anyone to jeopardize the public’s well-being for personal gain,” he concluded.
The government’s robust approach, including surprise inspections and stringent measures against illegal trading, signals a clear intention to protect consumers and maintain market stability. All eyes are now on the upcoming raids, and it remains to be seen what further action the government will take to combat this growing crisis.