Bhubaneswar: The supply of potatoes from West Bengal to Odisha has stopped. Due to the low production in West Bengal, the government there is not releasing potatoes to Odisha. As a result, potato prices have skyrocketed across the state with the tuber being sold at Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kilo.
West Bengal Police have stopped hundreds of potato-laden trucks on the border. It is said that about 2000 potato-laden trucks are halted on the Odisha-West Bengal border. Local traders are bringing potatoes in pickup vans and motorcycles, West Bengal police have stopped the movement of potato-laden trucks on four bordering roads. Due to the shortage of potatoes in the Odisha market, traders are either hoarding potatoes or selling stocks at higher prices.
Amid rising potato prices, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra today visited a potato godown at Aiginia in Bhubaneswar and after inspection, he termed the situation as artificial. He said that the govt would import potatoes from Uttar Pradesh to meet the demand and control the price rise.
The minister said, “Odisha has no shortage of potatoes now. Potatoes are available for 7 to 8 days. Since the traders had to buy potatoes at Rs 26 per kilo, after taking all the profits, potatoes should be available in the market at Rs 34 to Rs 35. The supplies department officers have been asked to intervene wherever potatoes are being sold at a higher price.”
Notably, scores of potato-laden trucks are halted at Sunakania on the border of Balasore district and about 10 to 15 trucks are coming into Odisha every day.
According to reports, potato production has decreased in West Bengal this year. Therefore, the price has also increased there. When the price of potatoes is 35 rupees per kilo in Kolkata, the government has refused to release potatoes from West Bengal.
Traders in Odisha said that if potatoes do not come immediately, there will be a shortage situation. Naturally, the price will increase.
