Tara Sundas demands distribution of potatoes along with the ration

Kalimpong|Mukesh Sharma: The Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee during her recent visit to Kalimpong had directed the Food & Civil Supplies Department DC to distribute potatoes along with ration to all the ration shops which falls under the Kalimpong Municipality. Therefore, immediately following the orders, the Department disbursed the same and the public last Friday, through this received ½ kg of potatoes each. Likewise, potatoes were being sold at Rs 12.50 per kg in the ration shops against the rate of Rs22- 24 in other shops of the town.But as soon as the CM left Kalimpong, the distribution of potatoes by the Department is put to halt. The Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM) politician, Tara Sundas voicing against the same approached the Department and further, demanded the distribution of potatoes along with the ration. Reciprocating to this the Department’s Supervisor, Dhurba Bareily said that the DC, last week had asked him to distribute potatoes along with the ration. Hence, as per the notice which was given without any orders being passed, the Department disbursed 50kgs of potatoes each to 33 ration shops. And the distribution of the same to the customers was based on first come, first serve basis, he added. After this no further calls have been received by the Department this week from the DC regarding the same. To this the CPIM politician furiously charged that the distribution of potatoes along with the ration was just to show the CM till the time she was in Kalimpong. He also added that the hills are always distinguished and are deprived of Governmental facilities. Further, he stressed that due to the landslides in the hills, the vegetables are coming in through alternate ways and hence, the prices are being doubled. In this hour of need, if only the Government through rations could provide the basic commodities to the public, then it would have been of much relief, he told.The Supervisor, then answering to his queries informed that the Department is well aware of the adverse effects of monsoons and therefore, to tackle emergency situations during the same the Department has stocked up commodities. “We too, are keeping a check in the price hikes”, he asserted.Furthermore, the CPIM leader standing his grounds demanded that the Administration along with the Line Departments should take strict actions against the hike in prices of the commodities. The goods coming in from the plains are being sold at doubled rates or are Rs10- 15 costlier than the original rates, he said. Lastly, he added that on Nov 16, 1998 there was a historical voicing in the Administration against the price hike, but after that the Administration has stay put.