SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 4: The Bengal government’s recent ban on the supply of potatoes has been a boon for Dhanbad’s general consumers. In response to this ban, local stockists have decided to sell potatoes at a reduced price of Rs 28 per kg starting today (Wednesday).
Price reduction and availability
Before the ban, potatoes were sold in Dhanbad’s retail markets at Rs 35 per kg, while new potatoes were priced at Rs 40 per kg. To ensure the public has access to affordable potatoes, six centres have been set up across the district to offer potatoes at wholesale rates.
The decision to sell potatoes at Rs 28 per kg was made on Tuesday evening at a meeting of stockists held at the Barbadda Krishi Bazaar Samiti, convened by Secretary Vipul Kumar Singh.
According to a Bazaar Samiti official, the meeting was called upon the directive of the Agriculture Market Board to sell potatoes at wholesale prices to prevent any shortage of the essential item in the district.
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Impact of Bengal’s potato supply ban
The Bengal government halted the supply of potatoes to Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha on November 28.
Authorities in Bengal cited the arrival of new potatoes would take at least 45 days, and continued supply to other states could cause a crisis within Bengal itself. As a result, the potato supply to neighbouring states was stopped.
“Before the Bengal government’s ban on supply to Jharkhand, we purchased potatoes at Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg, but now we are getting it at Rs 28 per kg. So, the ban became a boon for us,” said Salini Mukherjee of Hirapur.
Uttar Pradesh emerges as a key supplier
According to Rocky Sao, a potato stockist at Krishi Bazaar Samiti, Uttar Pradesh has now become Jharkhand’s main supplier of potatoes. Since there is no supply shortage in the market, traders are not facing any challenges in selling potatoes at wholesale rates for the public’s convenience, especially considering the ban.
“At least in the next 10 days, we do not see a price hike of potatoes in the district. But in case Uttar Pradesh curtails the quantity of supply, the rate of goods may soar,” said Rocky Sao.
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Suvidha Centres set up for public access
Stockists have established six ‘Suvidha Centres’ at various locations including Purana Bazar, Steel Gate Saraidhela, Govindpur, Jharia, and two at the Krishi Bazaar Samiti premises. Each person can purchase a maximum of 5 kg of potatoes at these centres.
This initiative aims to ensure that the general public can continue to access potatoes at affordable rates despite the supply disruption caused by Bengal’s ban.
