The strike has been lifted on the government’s assurance. However, if the government does not accept their demands, a tougher decision will be taken. After withdrawing the strike, the West Bengal Potato Traders Association clarified. The traders’ association has decided to observe a 48-hour strike despite withdrawing the strike after a meeting with the minister. As a result, potatoes will be taken out of the cold storage from Wednesday night. The potatoes will reach the market on Thursday morning. The traders’ association said that this decision has been taken only considering the common people. The Progressive Potato Traders’ Association claims that there are about six and a half lakh metric tons of potatoes in the state so far. Although the government claims that there are six lakh metric tons of potatoes. The entire state needs four lakh metric tons of potatoes. As a result, they have submitted a request to the departmental minister so that the remaining two lakh metric tons of potatoes can be exported to other states. But Agriculture Marketing Minister Becharam Manna said that a decision will be taken after talking to the Chief Minister. However, he requested the Progressive Potato Traders’ Association to withdraw their strike. Finally, considering all aspects, the Potato Traders Association has decided to call off the strike, considering the common people. They have also warned that even if the strike is called off for now, a more difficult decision may be taken if the government stops exporting potatoes to other states. State President of the West Bengal Progressive Potato Traders Association, Jagabandhu Mandal, said, “Even though the minister appealed to call off the strike on Monday, we could not do so. Because, we cannot talk about calling off the strike until a decision is taken in the general meeting. The decision was taken in the general meeting on Tuesday. We will observe a 48-hour strike considering the common people. Potatoes will be available in the market from Wednesday night. It is not about accepting or rejecting the government decision, we have taken the decision only considering the common people.” He further said, “We think that the price of potatoes has increased to block the border area. If the border was open, this problem would not have happened. We have tried to convince the government repeatedly about the issue of demand and supply. But we have failed. However, when the price of potatoes decreases, no one keeps track of us. Then we do not get the price of potatoes. Those who store them do not get the price of storage. The government is still asking for some time. It has not been announced yet when the border area will be opened. As a result, we will suffer losses. Potatoes are coming out of our stores at 26, 27 taka somewhere. The price of potatoes depends on the quality. Even if we offer potatoes at 26, 27 or 28 taka, why will those potatoes be sold at 34 taka? How is this possible?”
Potato traders warn of larger movement if demands not met, strike called off on minister’s assurance
