Another held for using brick dust on potatoes

Kolkata: Police arrested a person from Gorabazar market in Dum Dum on Sunday morning on charges of using brick dust and soil on potatoes.

Acting on a tip-off, officers of Enforcement Branch (EB) conducted a raid in the market and arrested one Biman Bhowmick (44).

Police said that the accused was found involved in mixing brick dust and soil in potatoes to ensure that they look fresh.

The investigating officers also found that the accused was also using some yellow and red chemicals in potatoes.

Around 300 kg adulterated potatoes were seized from the market. An EB officer said they received an information on Sunday morning that some people were found mixing chemicals in potatoes.

A team of officers went to the spot and found the information to be true.

The police came to know that some more people were involved in the racket and they initiated a search for them.

The police officer said that the person who was arrested used to work as manager for the person who was the wholesale potato dealer in the area. So the police suspect that the wholesaler might be the kingpin of the entire racket which had been operating in the area.

It may be recalled that the state government had repeatedly created awareness to keep traders away from such malpractices.

It was clearly told that severe steps would be taken if any traders are found mixing chemicals or applying brick dust on potatoes.

In a recent meeting with the Task Force that was formed to ensure that essential goods are sold at the "right price", Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had asked them to take necessary measures to ensure that there is not much gap between the wholesale and retail price of goods. She had also directed to take steps to check adulteration of vegetables and potatoes.

It may be mentioned that four persons were arrested from a market at Titagarh in North 24 Parganas on August 27 on charges of adding colours on vegetables.