Potato scarcity: Mamata takes charge of agri marketing dept

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today assumed temporary charge of the state agriculture marketing department in the wake of increasing criticism of the West Bengal government's handling of the situation rising out of scarcity of potato in the city's retail markets.
"I have told Arup Roy (agriculture marketing minister) that from now on for some days I would look after the department's work, though he will continue to remain its minister," Banerjee told reporters after a high-level meeting with state finance minister Amit Mitra, chief secretary Sanjay Mitra and senior government and police officers.
Concerned over "artificial scarcity" of potato after the state government pegged the price of the commodity in retail markets across the city at Rs 13 a kg, Banerjee today warned of strict action against hoarders including cancelling licenses of "dishonest" traders.

"We will take action against those fleecing the common man. There is adequate supply. But, hoarders are trying to create artificial scarcity of potato after it was decided at a joint meeting between the state government and the traders recently to sell potato at Rs 13 in the retail markets and Rs 11 in the wholesale markets," Banerjee, who paid a surprise visit to some city markets including the Koley Market at Sealdah during the day, said.
"They are not keeping their words," Banerjee said referring to the traders' representatives who were co-signatories along with government officials on a leaflet released after the recent meeting, confirming the price.

"Nobody should think that our government is weak. Stern action would be taken against hoarders and dishonest traders. We are shortlisting their names. Police, state enforcement branch and other agencies would conduct raids. Some of them are now hiding at Ghatshila and Jalandhar. We are keeping a tab," Banerjee said.