The Progressive Potato Traders’ Association had called for the strike on Sunday over their allegations of harassment by the state police and the local administration in exporting the tuber to other states.

The state government had on Tuesday paused the export of potatoes to other states to bring down the prices. Due to the strike, the prices of potatoes skyrocketed to around Rs 36 to 46 per kg from the original Rs 20 to 30.

Now, traders said, they will reduce. Laloo Mukherjee, the secretary of the potato traders’ association, said, “Keeping people’s interest in mind, we have called off the indefinite strike. We want to work with the state government. But they must ensure that we are allowed to export the vegetable to other states…We will also submit a deputation to the government with our demands.”

Mukherjee added that potatoes from cold storage will hit the market from Thursday onwards, which will bring down the price of the vegetables.

Minister (independent charge) Becharam Manna said, “We told them that the state government is willing to help if they cooperate. We have assured them of all help and as a result, they have lifted the strike. If they help in meeting the supply demand of the market then the price of the vegetable will come down to under Rs 30 per kg. Once the supply chain is normalised, we will look into their demand.”

The meeting between the stakeholders came a day after the West Bengal government decided to engage self-help groups (SHGs) to sell potatoes at affordable prices. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday had instructed officials to temporarily stop the export of potatoes until the price of the tuber is “brought under control”.

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