Potato crisis in Odisha : Govt to sell through PDS outlets

Following the crisis in potato supply and the resultant increase in its price, the Odisha government has decided to provide potato to people at the rate of Rs 20 per kg through PDS outlets and Maitree stores.

“We have requested the Nafed to supply 3000 quintal of potato to Odisha from Kanpur and other places,” Odisha Food and Supplies Minister Sanjay Dasburma told to media.

Potato has become scarce in the wake of floods with rates soaring to Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg from Rs 20 a week ago. What has compounded the crisis is almost no supply from Bengal and hoarding.

Odisha produces 1.98 lakh tones of potatoes, but consumes more than nine tonnes. The rest of the supply comes from Bengal.

Dasburma said that the West Bengal government is showing a monopolistic attitude by putting restrictions on transportation of potato to Odisha.

The minister informed that the Development Commissioner is in touch with officials in the the neighbouring state to resolve the impasse soon.

Meanwhile, activists of the ruling BJD blocked West Bengal-bound trucks from Andhra Pradesh in the bordering area of Jaleswar in Balasore district.