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Bhubaneswar: While the skyrocketing potato price continues to hit kitchens of common households in Odisha, it seems the supply crisis of the tuber is not going to be solved for next three days till the vegetable reaches here from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
“We have talked to all traders’ associations to bring the tuber as much as possible from Bihar and Kanpur (UP). Potato loaded vehicles have already left for Odisha. The crisis may continue for three days till the vehicles reached here”, Food and civil supplies minister Pratap Keshari Deb said.
Steps are also being taken to bring the vegetable from cold storages in Rayagada and Koraput districts. The crisis is expected to be overcome by Tuesday, he added.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also assured early solution of the problem. He said, “The state government is monitoring the situation closely. Normalcy will be restored soon.”
On the other hand, numbers of vegetable traders supported by local BJP leaders resorted to road blockade on NH-5 in Balasore, thereby preventing movement of heavy vehicles to West Bengal. The decision to hit road came after the West Bengal government paid no heed to the plight of Odisha that led to the crisis.
The appearance of the essential vegetable was almost nil in leading mandis including Chhatrabazar, Bidanasi of Cuttack and Unit-1 market of Bhubaneswar. The consumers were found making bee line in front of Udyan Fresh outlets, the Odisha government sponsored vegetable shops, to buy potatoes at fixed price even as the quantity is meager due to short supply.
