Hooghly, 05 November (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday announced a series of major relief measures for farmers at an administrative programme in Pursurah, Hooghly district. Taking a swipe at the previous Trinamool Congress government over restrictions on potato exports, he said that repeated stoppages of potato-laden vehicles at state borders had resulted in spoilage of produce and financial losses for farmers.

The Chief Minister announced that there would be no restrictions on transporting potatoes to other states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. He categorically stated that vehicles carrying potatoes would not be stopped at any state border. Farmers exporting potatoes by road or rail will also receive a subsidy of ₹50 per quintal.

Assuring farmers of remunerative prices, Adhikari announced a benchmark price of ₹1,120 per quintal. If the prevailing market price falls below this amount, the state government will provide a subsidy covering the difference. He said the government was prepared to spend whatever amount was necessary to protect farmers' interests.

The Chief Minister further announced that potatoes would be brought under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The state government would bear the farmers' insurance premium, effectively exempting them from paying it. He also warned that any complaint of black marketing would invite action within 24 hours.

Highlighting the state's potato production and storage figures, Adhikari said West Bengal produced approximately 140 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes during the financial year 2025-26. More than 75 lakh metric tonnes had been stored in cold storages, of which around 48 lakh metric tonnes had already been taken out. The remaining 27 lakh metric tonnes are expected to be cleared by November 30.

He added that although the legal deadline could be extended until December 31, the government wanted the remaining stock to be released from cold storages in a phased manner by November 30.

At Pursurah, the Chief Minister also launched the 'Krishak Samman Nidhi' scheme. On the launch day, financial assistance instalments were transferred to the bank accounts of farmers affected by natural calamities.

According to the Chief Minister, farmers severely affected by floods would receive ₹1.80 lakh, those suffering partial damage would get ₹90,000, while farmers facing minor losses would receive ₹40,000.

He also announced that seeds were being provided to 10,750 farmers in the flood-affected Bhutni Char area. In addition, four lakh farmers have been provided an electricity subsidy of ₹2 per unit.

Adhikari further assured compensation for 46 lakh farmers affected by floods.

The announcements are aimed at providing comprehensive support to potato growers and other farmers through unrestricted inter-state trade, price protection, insurance benefits, subsidies and financial assistance for natural disaster-related losses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey