July 19, 2014
WB govt against Centre`s limit on hoarding potato, onion
West Bengal government has opposed theCentre`s proposal of bringing potatoes and onions within the purview ofstock holding limits under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This was decided at a meeting held by state Agriculture and Agriculture Marketing and Food and Supplies departments.
A report in this regard will be sent to Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee soon following which the issue will be taken up with the Centre.
The Centre has recently asked the states to impose a limit on hoarding of potatoes and onions in a move taken to control price hike. It wants the state governments to take firm measures against hoarding of the two vegetables.
The Centre`s suggestion reached the Food and Supplies Department recently, following which a report was prepared by the department on the proposed stockholding limits for potatoes and onions for Bengal.
However, the state Agriculture Department has raised objections over the fact that bringing potatoes within the purview of stockholding limits will affect farmers. There is a surplus production of potatoes so if a limit is imposed on the amount that can be stocked then it might bring down the selling price but will automatically lead to loss for farmers of the state.
Hoarding onions is not a practical solution for the state as it does not have proper storage facilities or favourable weather conditions for hoarding the vegetable.
