Bengal allows traders to export more potato to other states

, Sept 12: After

traders withdrew their strike yesterday, the

Government today allowed them to export an enhanced quantum of potato to neighbouring Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam.

Briefing on the outcome of the meeting of the Task Force on this issue, state Agriculture Marketing Secretary Subrata Biswas said the state government has allowed the traders to export 1,100 tonnes of potato per day to Odisha and Jharkhand through two check posts at Danton in West Midnapore and Chirkunda along Jharkhand border under South Bengal.

The state government also allowed the traders to export potato to Assam through two check posts in North Bengal. However, the quantum of potato to be exported to Assam was yet to be finalised, he said.

In return, the traders would supply the state government 200 tonnes of potato at the rate of Rs 1,300 per quintal, which would be sold through fair price shops at the rate of Rs 14 per kg, Biswas said.

Earlier, the state government allowed the traders to export only 700 tonnes of potato per day to these states. Pragatisil Aloo Byabsayee Samiti, a forum of potato traders, which withdrew its strike yesterday, was also present in today's meeting, convened by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

PTI