Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said strict police action will be taken against vegetable vendors who hike prices of essentials like potatoes and onions.
Banerjee said first information reports (FIR) will be filed against those vendors who inflate prices beyond the retail value set by her government.
"Some people think they can do whatever they like. I had warned before Durga Puja but they did not listen. If someone is doing this, then I would request them to not do so ... if they continue to do this ... FIR will be registered against them," she said.
She said that potatoes should be sold at Rs.13 per kilogram in retail and Rs.11 per kilogram in the wholesale market.
The West Bengal Police, city police's enforcement directorate along with members of the task force created by her government will monitor whether vendors adhere to the prices.
Emphasising on self-sufficiency in production of onions, she said until the prices stabilise in Bengal they will not be sold in other states.