Amid reports of more vigilant West Bengal Government in preventing supply of potato to Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday asserted that he would approach his counterpart to normalise the situation.
The assertion has come as the supply remained curtailed on second consecutively day leaving the essential commodity on high.
"I am aware of the situation and taking stock of it. I have come across some media reports about West Bengal stopping the supply of potato coming to Jharkhand. We are in touch with the West Bengal Government and our Agricultural Department is monitoring the prevailing situation emerged due to Bengal government's decision. I had spoken to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the last such crisis in 2013 and
persuaded her to remove the sanctions. I have asked the concerned department to monitor the situation and hold a meeting to review the condition. If needed I will speak to the Bengal Chief Minister to look into the matter," said Hemant Soren in Jamshedpur.
Incidentally, the two ministers from the Congress resorted only to rhetorics. Agriculture Minister Yogendra Sao spoke candidly and
virtually threatened West Bengal Government with
befitting acts.
"The act of Bengal is not in conformity with the inter-state system we have. If it happens then we would also stop passage of consignments going to Bengal through Jharkhand," said Sao.
Energy Minister Rajendra Prasad Singh had also issued similar threat yesterday to the Bengal Government.
Meanwhile, supply of
potato remained tight with restricted supply of loaded trucks. Price of the
commodity remained Rs 20 a kg in wholesale market and around Rs 30 in retail.
"The situation is under control at present. Today also we have received 17-18 truckloads of potato which were already on their way. Some supply has been from cold storages. We have stock for a couple of days but if the stalemate continued for long then it may become alarming," said Shambhu Gupta, president of Ranchi Chamber and Pandra Bazar Samiti, Ranchi.
Gupta's apprehension gets some boost with fresh reports about packing entry points to Jharkhand from West Bangal coming. The Mamta Banerjee Government has further blocked highways and clamped strict vigil on the selling points, reports suggest.
On its part, FJCCI has also approached the State Government to ensure smooth supply of potato by consulting the neighbouring State as nearly 90 per cent of supply comes to Jharkhand from there only. Chamber president Vikas Singh has written a letter to the Chief Minister and concerned departments.
"It is not practical to bring potato from Punjab or UP as it would push the rate higher. Main problem is supply of potato to Pakistan from Punjab which is exerting more pressure on West Bengal to feel the
vacuum. The Centre has also to play a role in all this," added Gupta.