In a letter to Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi, Mahato said the onion scam is a deliberate result of Mamata Banerjee’s calculated market manipulation.
“Today, I write to you regarding an alarming issue that has unfolded in West Bengal-an issue that I would term ‘Mamata’s Onion Scam.’ Despite the recent reopening of the Jharkhand- West Bengal border, onion prices have soared dramatically, with rates ranging from 245 to 760 per kilogram, and rising further by the day. This inflation is no accident-it is a deliberate result of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s calculated manipulation of the market. The blockade, which was initially attributed to flood-related concerns, has now exposed itself as a smokescreen for a much larger conspiracy aimed at creating an artificial scarcity of essential goods,” he wrote.
“At the heart of this crisis lies a web of politically connected hoarders-many of whom are close allies of Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). These individuals, who control the cold storage and wholesale supply chains, have strategically used the border blockade to restrict the supply of onions, allowing them to hoard large quantities and drive up prices. This is not just a case of market manipulation, but a blatant violation of both the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980,” he added.
In the letter, the state general secretary claimed Mamata Banerjee has turned a humanitarian crisis into an opportunity for her party’s close-knit network of profiteers. By blocking the free flow of goods under the false pretext of flood management, she has allowed her inner circle of hoarders to exploit the common man, especially during a time of rising inflation and economic hardship.
This is nothing short of an orchestrated scam, designed to inflate onion prices, fill the coffers of her associates, and create chaos in the market.
He further said, “The flood situation cited as the reason for the border closure bears no correlation to the extent of the disruption. It is clear now that the closure was timed and managed to manipulate the onion supply and allow politically connected individuals to hoard the commodity, causing prices to skyrocket. The reopening of the border has done little to relieve the situation because the damage has already been done through this intentional act of market sabotage.”
In the letter he demanded the food and public distribution ministry to take the following actions immediately:
1. Launch an investigation into “Mamata’s Onion Scam”: Conduct a detailed probe into the political connections behind the hoarding and price manipulation of onions in West Bengal.
2. Enforce strict penalties under the Essential Commodities Act and Prevention of Black Marketing Act: Those found guilty of market manipulation and hoarding should be brought to justice under the provisions of these acts.
3. Ensure the release of buffer stocks: To stabilise prices and bring relief to consumers, additional onion stocks should be released into the market.
4. Monitor and regulate the market closely: Given the continuing impact of the blockade, the ministry should keep a close watch on onion prices and supplies to prevent further exploitation.
“Mamata Banerjee’s government has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to prioritize political and personal gains over the well-being of the people. This latest episode of price manipulation is just another chapter in a long history of governance failures. “Mamata’s Onion Scam” must be exposed, and the perpetrators must be held accountable for their role in this unconscionable exploitation of the common man,” he said.