One association forced strike, allowed pulse prices to soar: Kolkata mill owners

He said that the strike, which lasted for 16 days, was lifted Wednesday but a demand-supply gap has been created because of it.

“Around 300 mill owners supply different types of pulses to Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and Nagaland besides catering to the local markets in Bengal. We bring the pulses from the importers’ godowns, and skinning and grading takes anything from one to seven days depending on the variety,” he said, adding that the price of the commodity has also been affected because of this reason.

“Nearly all the varieties of dal have seen a price rise of at least Rs 20 due to the unavailability. When I protested against it, the association blacklisted me and stopped others to trade with my company here,” he alleged.

Incidentally, the association had circulated a notice (The Indian Express has access to a copy) on October 12, asking all the traders to stop work. Pulses from these mills are also sent to the public distribution shops across the state, the supply of which has been stopped as well. Another mill owner, requesting anonymity, said that the association had impressed demands such as getting the merchandise weighed by places approved by it, delivery of pulses only in containers and according itself the authority to settle any dispute.

“These demands are only aimed at extorting money from the mill owners here,” he said, adding that the association charges Rs 200 for every truck unloaded at Daspara.

Satya Narayan Gupta, secretary and chief functionary of the association, however, refuted the allegations.

“These accusations are made by people with vested interest. Whatever decision we have taken on behalf of the association was with the support of majority of our members and keeping in mind their welfare. The police and the administration will look into any illegal activity. Let an investigation be done and truth will come out,” he said.

State Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mullick said he wasn’t aware of any such strike. “I would talk to the mill owners if they have any grievances and find out what was going on. Under no circumstances would we want to have a scarcity of pulses in the market and let prices soar. I will look into it immediately,” he said.