Kolkata: Mobile and stationary outlets of Sufal Bangla are witnessing a heavy rush in recent days as potato (Jyoti) is selling at Rs 26/kg and onion (Nashik and others) at Rs 48/kg. The potato price in the city's retail markets is still hovering between Rs 36 and Rs 38/kg, and onion is stubbornly priced at Rs 60/kg.
"I particularly buy from the newly opened mobile Sufal Bangla outlet in Ballygunge. The prices of potato and onion here are significantly lower than the retail market prices," said Gautam Saha. Abhijit Nandy, a Bhowanipur resident who queued early in the morning at Jadubabu's Bazar outlet on Thursday, said: "It is hard to believe that the potato price is so high in retail outlets during this time of the year. At least these govt-run outlets are a respite for middle-class people like us."
"Every morning, there are long queues at our outlets. Potato, onion and cauliflowers flying off the crates within an hour or so," said Moinul Islam, a worker of a mobile outlet in Bhangar. Cauliflowers are selling at Rs 20/piece while the market price is still around Rs 25-Rs 30/piece.
At present, the state has five procurement centres, the main one is Singur Tapasi Malik Krishak Bazar. There are about 258 mobile centres and 17 stationary outlets in the city. "Our department is trying hard to stabilise market prices and ensure fair pricing for consumers," said an official from the state agricultural marketing department. "Our recent procurement price of Jyoti potato is Rs 25/kg and onion Rs 45/kg," he said.
The price of garlic (local variety) here is selling at Rs 230/kg compared to the market's existing rate of Rs 400/kg. Similarly, the price of newly harvested ginger is at Rs 75/kg while it is retailing between Rs 120-Rs 150/kg. However, the prices of brinjal, cucumber, capsicum, green papaya, bitter gourd, beetroot, beans, green peas, pumpkin, and green chillies are almost on a par with the market rate.
Sukanya Sinha, who buys vegetables at the Milk Colony outlet of Sufal Bangla in Belgachhia, said: "Apart from pricing, I like the clarity of the system, like using digital weighing scales, billing and the option for checking consumer prices on my cell phone."
In recent systems, consumers can check daily updates of prices along with the procurement price through a dedicated Sufal Bangla app, its website, or by calling IVR.
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