On Tuesday afternoon, CM Banerjee chaired a meeting and directed the task force to meet every week to review the situation and submit a report after seven days.

At the meeting, sources said, the CM reprimanded a section of big potato traders for the skyrocketing price of this key vegetable in the retail market.

He said big traders were responsible for the price of potato reaching Rs 35 per kg in retail markets, while farmers were selling it at Rs 15 per kg.

According to him, some big traders were deliberately storing potato stock in cold storage to artificially increase the prices.

He directed the state administration and task force members to take immediate action against these hoarders.

He also talked about a conspiracy theory on the recent increase in the price of mutton in retail markets.

According to him, recently rumors were spread about the outbreak of bird flu in the state, due to which many meat eaters started switching from chicken to mutton.

He also directed the task force members to keep a close watch on the export of vegetables, especially potatoes and onions, to other states and to keep a strict vigil on the borders of West Bengal.

According to CM Banerjee, such products can be exported to other states only after meeting the needs of West Bengal.