GUWAHATI, Nov 1 � Marching onion�s way, potato prices are far from relieving the burden of the common people this festive season. While the blame game for this price hike is on between the wholesalers, retailers and the government agencies, ultimately, consumers are being taken for a ride in the market.
Ranging between Rs 26 to Rs 40 per kg, different varieties of potatoes are available in the market. Those buying the cheaper ones could not claim about the quality, while those preferring the best quality could not negotiate on price.
Unfortunately, despite recognising the corrupt trade practices in the markets, the government agencies express their inability to control the situation due to a legal hitch, as potato and onion do not fall under the purview of the Essential Commodities Act 1955.
Today, 42 trucks arrived in Guwahati from West Bengal, each truck loaded with around 400 sacks of potatoes.
�Potatoes are coming mostly from Jalandhar and Agra. The trucks which were loaded in Kolkata earlier are also reaching Guwahati after a prolonged wait. The wholesale rate of Kolkata variety of potato is Rs 1,800 to 1,900 per quintal. The Agra and Jalandhar varieties of potato recorded a wholesale rate of Rs 2,100,� said a wholesale potato trader blaming the price hike at the source and lack of control over the retail market for the unprecedented price hike.
