Kolkata Police's Enforcement Branch (EB) conducted raids across multiple markets in Kolkata on Tuesday, 24 August, acting on directions from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to check rising prices of essential commodities including sugar, edible oil, and vegetables. The crackdown follows reports of sharp price escalations over recent weeks, with sugar alone reportedly climbing nearly ₹20 per kg in just 20 days.

Markets Covered and Scale of Operation

Around 10 EB teams fanned out across key commercial hubs including Shyambazar, Maniktala Market, Kole Market in Sealdah, Garia Bazaar, and Jadu Babur Bazar in Bhowanipur. Officials visited individual shops to verify pricing, check stock availability, and determine whether traders were hoarding goods or levying inflated rates on consumers.

The teams were constituted on Monday night following the Chief Minister's public warning, and began operations at dawn on Tuesday — a notably swift operational response to a political directive.

What the Chief Minister Said

Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna on Monday, Adhikari said sugar prices had crossed ₹65 per kg and pledged government action to bring them under control. He issued a direct warning to traders involved in illegal hoarding of rice and sugar.

'We have found where the leakage is. We will fix it. There is a strong government here. There will be no scope for injustice here,' Adhikari said.

The Price Surge: What Is Driving It

Sugar prices have reportedly risen by around ₹20 per kg over the past 20 days. Some traders have attributed the increase to the ethanol blending situation, which they say has diverted sugarcane supplies. However, the Centre has maintained that ethanol has played no role in the price rise — a contradiction that remains unresolved.

Beyond sugar, prices of rice, edible oil, garlic, and onions have also risen in recent weeks. Traders attributed the vegetable price spike to prolonged and heavy rainfall in July and August, which disrupted supply chains from producing regions.

Traders' Perspective and Outlook

Sellers told officials that weather-driven supply disruptions were the primary cause of the vegetable price surge, and said steps were being taken to prevent hoarding. According to traders, vegetable prices are likely to ease once the monsoon season ends and normal supplies resume — though no specific timeline was offered.

With the EB operations now underway and political pressure mounting, authorities will be watching closely whether the market raids translate into tangible price relief for consumers in the days ahead.