Chief minister Mamata Banerjee purportedly said at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday that her government would not allow interstate potato trade until the prices of the essential vegetable came under control.

“She said that when the people of Bengal are in crisis amid a hike in potato prices, selling potatoes outside Bengal will deteriorate the situation. Our priority should be to take care of the people of our state first rather than some traders who want to make more money,” a minister quoted Mamata as saying.

The Paschim Banga Pragatishil Aloo Byabosayee Samity has been on an indefinite strike across Bengal against the Mamata Banerjee government’s decision to completely ban interstate trade of the produce in the wake of the recent surge in the price.

The chief minister on Tuesday chaired a cabinet meeting at the Bengal Assembly where she instructed her ministers to ensure that the supply of potatoes was not hampered following the strike.

“Chief minister’s stand is clear. She is not ready to compromise with the demand of a section of potato traders who always try to sell their produce outside Bengal for better profit. She said that the traders can sell their produce when the demand of the state is fulfilled,” said an official.

Following Mamata’s instructions, the agricultural marketing department on Tuesday called an emergency meeting where the districts having interstate borders
were asked to ensure no potato-laden trucks crossed the border.

“We have strictly implemented our measures. There is a demand-supply gap in the market and it has failed to bring down the potato prices. Selling potatoes to other
states will certainly intensify the crisis in our markets,” said an official.

At present, potato prices in the retail market are between ₹32 and ₹33 a kg. In over 500 Sufal Bangla outlets, run by the state agricultural marketing department, the price of the vegetable is ₹29 a kilo.

Laloo Mukherjee, the secretary of the potato traders’ association, however, said after knowing the state government’s decision, the members would sit in a meeting to discuss further course of action on Wednesday.

A senior official said as potatoes are an essential commodity, the state government could take control of the cold stores and market the potatoes.

“There is already a crisis in the market and the strike intensified it. We will not tolerate such an act by the traders’ outfit if people do not get potatoes, which is an essential vegetable in the kitchen,” said the official.