TMC appeals Centre to regulate prices of onions and potatoes

The Trinamool Congress has appealed to the Centre to take immediate action for the steep hike in prices of onions and potatoes in West Bengal. 

In a video message on Sunday (November 8), Trinamool Congress leader Shukhendu Shekhar Roy said, “As a result of the new agriculture law, the rights of the state have gone to the Centre. The Centre has to take adequate measures to curb the rise in prices of potatoes and onions. They should immediately launch a campaign in all the states to reduce the price of the essential commodities.”

“The Kolkata police stepped up vigil in markets across the city to check hoarding of potatoes and onions. At the same time, the officials of the enforcement branch are also inspecting whether there is any illegal stockpile,” he added.

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Earlier, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee told in a press conference that she would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to control the price of potatoes and onions which have gone through the roof in the festive season. At the same time, the chief minister has asked the police to check whether a section of traders was hoarding vegetables which could have led to their spike in prices.

While the price of potatoes in the local markets has touched Rs40 per kilo, onion is selling at Rs80 per kilo. The potato prices range from around Rs20-25 per kilo, while the prices of onions vary between Rs 40 and Rs 45 per kilo.

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Kamal Dey, a member of the state government's task force, said, “Potatoes have started coming from different states and it is expected that the prices of potatoes will reduce soon. Onion prices will come down in mid-December or towards the end of the year."

• onion
• potato
• price rise
• TMC
• West bengal