'To increase the potato production, we are now trying to bring seeds from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in the next season,' Dasgupta said.

The West Bengal government had included potato under the essential commodities category to prevent its rising prices.

It issued a notification under the West Bengal Prevention of Hoarding of Essential Food Stuffs Order, 2009, declaring potatoes cannot be stocked beyond a permissible limit.

As per the notification, wholesalers cannot stock more than 400 quintals and the retailers over 30 quintals.

The order also enables government representatives to check godowns for excess stock.

After the steep rise in potato prices, the state government from July 11 started selling it at Rs.13 a kg in 43 vegetable markets across the state.