(Pics) Onions?....naaaah, its time for potatoes to act 'pricey'

New Delhi, Nov 12: The market is on flames.....literally! Even as the price of onions was sinking in the common man, potatoes have given a jolt. Gosh! the Indian government has really planned some surprises for us (not pleasant though).

Go to the market and you would not find an ounce of potato and even if you do, be prepared for a big hole in the pocket with a good Rs 50 a kilo shocker.

While this is a recent development in Karnataka, West Bengal was facing the same music a few weeks back and Jharkhand a day ago. Moolahs may ponder why, but the fact that West Bengal is facing a crisis, affecting exports cannot be ignored.

No, its not 'Didi's' fault this time. A visit to the local market in Kolkata will make the picture clear. The poor farmers and sellers blame the middle-men for it. This particular clan is now turning a sore point in every state. "Like onions, they deliberated a crisis in potatoes for extra profit," said a road-side seller. He further added: "When we protested, the local parties forced us to shut shops".

On the other hand, Chief Minister of West Bengal

in a desparate bid to cut down on the prices directed authorities to stop the export of potatoes. But when one door is closed, several others open up for the middle-men. They have taken to smuggling potatoes now. Sacks of potatoes are said to be loaded in private buses and sent to Jharkhand and Odisha. After a major crackdown by the state government, the supply has also cut down.

West Bengal being the chief supplier of potatoes in India, especially to teh states of Jharkhand, Odisha and Bihar, the crisis in the state is now pumping into different parts of the country.

The Retailer's saga

While Mamata Banerjee's hands are tied, retailers too cry their woes. The West Bengal government is cracking down on any retailer selling beyond the rates set by the government, which is Rs 13 a kilo. Retailers claim that if they start selling at the given price, they will incurr more losses as rates are equally high everywhere. In such a situation, they are not willing to bring their products from the cold storage.

While the government and the retailers fight over the potato prices, the common man continues to suffer. At this point, all we can hope is that the potato prices do not hurt as much as the onion prices. Touchwood!

In Balurghat

West Bengal Goverment's Food Deartment selling potatos at a subsidized rate of Rs 13 per kilogram at Balurghat in South Dinajpur district on Saturday.

(Pics) Onions?....naaaah, its time for potatoes to act 'pricey'

The market is on flames.....literally! Even as the price of onions was sinking in the common man, potatoes have given a jolt. Gosh! the Indian government has really planned some surprises for us (not pleasant though).

(Pics) Onions?....naaaah, its time for potatoes to act 'pricey'

Go to the market and you would not find an ounce of potato and even if you do, be prepared for a big hole in the pocket with a good Rs 50 a kilo shocker.

(Pics) Onions?....naaaah, its time for potatoes to act 'pricey'

While this is a recent development in Karnataka, West Bengal was facing the same music a few weeks back and Jharkhand a day ago. Moolahs may ponder why, but the fact that West Bengal is facing a crisis, affecting exports cannot be ignored.