Potato price surge in Jamshedpur, demand to lift West Bengal supply ban

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 29: The recent ban imposed by the West Bengal government on supplying potatoes to Jharkhand has led to a significant shortage of the commodity in Jamshedpur. This has caused potato prices to surge, reaching Rs 35 to 40 per kilogram compared to the previous rate of Rs 20. The situation is creating difficulties for both consumers and traders.

In response to this crisis, Anil Modi, Vice President (Trade and Commerce) of the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has sent a letter to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Modi highlighted that Jamshedpur used to receive approximately 150 tonnes of potatoes daily from West Bengal, which has now stopped. He criticized the ban as impractical and insensitive, affecting hundreds of traders and troubling the common people.

Modi urged the Chief Minister to urgently address the issue by engaging with the West Bengal government. He emphasized the need to resolve the matter to maintain interstate harmony, protect mutual relations, and safeguard both public and commercial interests. He appealed for the Chief Minister’s intervention to ensure that the cost of living in Jamshedpur remains manageable and that the potato traders’ business is not adversely affected.