India Coalition government has been formed in Jharkhand under the leadership of JMM. Hemant Soren took oath as Chief Minister on 28 November. During this time, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present, but after a few days, the Bengal and Jharkhand governments have come face to face. Actually, Mamata government has stopped the potato consignment, after which CM Hemant Soren came into action and has given instructions to resolve the issue immediately.
Jharkhand CMO tweeted, ‘Chief Minister Hemant Soren, taking cognizance of the news of stopping of potato vehicles on the Bengal border, has directed the Chief Secretary to resolve the matter. After the intervention of the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand in the matter, the Chief Secretary of West Bengal has formed a committee and assured the speedy disposal of the matter.
There has been an increase in the prices of potatoes in Jharkhand due to Bengal stopping the potato consignment at the border. Potato has become costlier by about Rs 500 per quintal. Regarding this issue, Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi has said that the common people are worried due to the rising prices of potatoes. The Chief Minister should talk to the Bengal government to deal with this situation. At the same time, potato traders of West Bengal have warned that if the state government does not lift the ban on selling potatoes to other states, they will be forced to go on strike.
Many trucks returned from Bengal border
The Bengal government has banned potato export to Jharkhand, Assam and Odisha. The police administration has set up check posts at the border stations, so that trucks loaded with potatoes cannot enter these states. Police have kept strict vigil at Belda and Dantan police stations on the Bengal-Orissa border. Police stopped and searched all the vehicles going to Odisha. Many vehicles loaded with potatoes were turned back from the checkpoints.
In this regard, state opposition leader Shubhendu Adhikari said that there is no border between countries, there is only one country. The work that Mamata’s police is doing in the border areas of Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand is illegal. If it is not removed then we will take whatever steps we can. The blockade by the police on the National Highway is completely illegal. He will talk to the National Highway Authority and the Union Home Minister about this. Central forces will be deployed if needed. There is no border between countries.
300 trucks reached Odisha from UP
Here, 300 truckloads of potatoes from UP have reached Odisha, after which it is expected that the prices will stabilise. Odisha’s Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister KC Patra says that after the arrival of potatoes from Bengal was stopped, purchasing of potatoes from UP has been started. He has claimed that the prices of potatoes have been controlled at Rs 35 per kg. At the same time, he has warned that if a case of black marketing of potatoes comes to light, strict action will be taken.