Potato crisis continues to hit Odisha as prices surge over Rs 50 per kg

Consumers in Odisha continue to grapple with a potato crisis due to short supply with the essential commodity being sold at exorbitant prices across the State. While West Bengal Police is chasing and seizing the potato-laden trucks heading towards Odisha, procurement from Uttar Pradesh is not enough to meet the requirements of the state. The skyrocketing price rise of essential kitchen items has severely affected the budget of the common man in the State.

Potato has almost gone missing from several markets in Odisha, resulting in skyrocketing prices. The essential kitchen item is now being sold at Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg pinching the pockets of consumers.

“Potatoes are not available in the market. We are forced to spend Rs 50-Rs 60 to buy a kg of potato,” said Minaketana Swain, a consumer from Niali.

“There is not enough supply of potatoes in the market. Hence, the price has skyrocketed,” said Dharanidhar Sahoo, a retailer in Balasore.

Some potato-laden trucks from neighbouring West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh had arrived in Odisha a few days back triggering speculation that the crisis will be solved in the State. However, the essential commodity has almost vanished from the market over the last three days.

As per reports, it is taking almost four days for the arrival of potatoes from Uttar Pradesh and a huge quantity of the essential product is getting perished in the process. Moreover, West Bengal Police is chasing and seizing potato-laden trucks heading towards Odisha. A potato-laden truck reportedly lost its balance at the Odisha border near Lailanpur as West Bengal police chased the vehicle. Subsequently, all the potatoes were taken back to West Bengal.

“Potatoes are not available in the market. Some retailers are selling it for Rs 70-Rs 80 per kg. The poor and the middle-class people are facing severe problems,” said a consumer from Lailanpur.

As many as three trucks from UP and one truck from West Bengal arrived in Bhubaneswar today. However, Odisha requires around 5,000 tons of potatoes on a daily basis. As per sources, the potatoes available in the cold storages will last only for three days.

However, Odisha Byabasai Mahasangha exuded confidence that the potato crisis would be resolved in the State within a couple of days. Meanwhile, supply inspectors have visited several markets in Bhograi, located near the border of West Bengal, to take stock of the situation.

“Efforts are being made to procure potatoes. The government is also trying to procure potatoes through NAFED and the crisis will be hopefully solved in a couple of days,” said Odisha Byabasai Mahasangha Secretary Sudhakara Panda.

Meanwhile, Opposition BJD rapped the government over the prevailing potato crisis in the State.

“The government should try to solve the potato crisis in the State instead of giving statements,” said BJD leader Arun Sahoo.

In response, Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said that the potato crisis in the State will be resolved soon.

“Some supply of potatoes has arrived in the State today. More potatoes will reach tomorrow. We are confident that the crisis will be solved soon. We will procure potatoes from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh for the benefit of the consumers,” said Minister Patra.