West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a package for potato farmers that includes a government-backed price guarantee, a transport subsidy for consignments leaving the state, crop insurance and an assurance that vehicles carrying potatoes will not be stopped at state borders.

Speaking at a Krishak Samman Nidhi programme in Pursurah, Hooghly, Adhikari said the state government would compensate farmers if the free-on-board price of potatoes fell below Rs 1,120 per quintal. The announcement is aimed at addressing price volatility and difficulties in moving the crop to markets outside Bengal.

Adhikari said 4.75 lakh quintals of potatoes had been purchased from 49 cold storages at Rs 950 per quintal. He said the government would pay the difference if the free-on-board price fell below the announced threshold of Rs 1,120 per quintal.

The package also includes a transport subsidy of Rs 50 per quintal for potatoes sent to other states by road or rail. Adhikari said no vehicle carrying potatoes would be stopped at the border, while alleging that farmers had faced harassment and restrictions during the previous Trinamool Congress government. The announcement links farm support to the movement of agricultural produce through inter-state transport routes, which are essential for clearing stocks beyond local markets.

The chief minister said the government would try to dispose of 27 lakh quintals of potatoes stored in cold storages by November 30. He added that the deadline could be extended until December 31. The announcement did not specify how the stock would be disposed of or identify the markets and agencies that would handle the movement.

Potato cultivation will also be brought under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, with the state government bearing the insurance premium for farmers, according to Adhikari. The measure is intended to extend crop-risk protection to potato growers, although the announcement did not provide details on the insurance coverage, claim process or implementation schedule.

Adhikari also announced a Rs 200-per-quintal bonus for farmers selling paddy at government mandis. He said the procurement price would gradually be increased to Rs 3,100 per quintal. Farmers affected by the recent floods would receive compensation, but the announcement did not state the amount or the number of farmers expected to qualify.

The programme also included an additional annual assistance of Rs 3,000 for farmers covered under the PM-Kisan scheme. Adhikari said the Centre’s Rs 6,000 assistance, combined with the state’s contribution, would provide more than 46 lakh farmers in Bengal with a total annual support of Rs 9,000.

Separately, Adhikari announced that the state government would roll out the Bhorsha Karmasuchi in January. The programme is intended to provide a monthly allowance to eligible educated unemployed people aged between 21 and 45. Unemployed graduates would receive Rs 3,000 a month, while other eligible applicants would receive Rs 2,000.

The scheme would be available to applicants whose annual family income is below Rs 1 lakh and who are not receiving benefits under an existing social protection scheme. The announcement did not specify the expected number of beneficiaries, the application process or the budget allocation for the programme.

Source - https://urbanacres.in