The state government has intensified its surveillance across various markets in the state, including Calcutta, to control vegetable prices following reports of crop damage due to incessant rainfall from Cyclone Dana’s impact.
“Task force members are deployed in different markets in Calcutta and surrounding districts to check for any price hikes on essential vegetables such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and green vegetables,” said state agriculture marketing minister Becharam Manna.
“We have found many middlemen attempting to disrupt the supply chain, leading to skyrocketing prices after reports of incessant rainfall or flood. We are also monitoring to ensure the vegetable supply is not hindered by hoarders,” he added.
A source in the agriculture department stated that, although the full extent of vegetable damage has yet to be assessed, there are concerns that green vegetables in districts like Hooghly, Bankura, Howrah, and East Burdwan may have been affected. However, such damage can’t affect the market in Calcutta as the major portion of the vegetable supply to the city comes from North and South 24-Parganas.
“We have observed that middlemen often try to exploit such situations to raise vegetable prices when there is potential crop damage from heavy rainfall or flooding. Therefore, we decided not to take any chances,” said a state government official.
A senior official in the agriculture marketing department added that the task force has ensured that the potato supply from cold storage remains stable so far and is closely monitoring any attempts to reduce the supply of vegetables.
On Monday, the price of potatoes was ₹26-29 per kg in the districts and ₹30-32 per kg in Calcutta, which is considered normal. Ginger, onions, and green chillies were priced at ₹100-110 per kg, ₹60-64 per kg, and ₹100 per kg, respectively, in open markets in Calcutta.
“The 460 Sufal Bangla outlets are selling these vegetables at 20-30 per cent lower rates during this period,” said an agriculture marketing official.
Following a surge in vegetable prices in July, chief minister Mamata Banerjee held an important meeting with senior government officials and directed the task force
to monitor market prices regularly.
“The chief secretary directly monitors daily market rates as instructed by the chief minister,” said an official.