TV
Once again the essential commodity, potato has gone missing from major markets in Odisha. No trucks of potato stock reportedly reached the Chhatrabazar market in Cuttack. As a result, the price of the kitchen essential has now touched Rs 50 per kilo in the Millennium City on Tuesday.
Not only Cuttack, potato has also vanished from godowns in Bhubaneswar. It is for the last three days no potato consignment has reached at Aiginia godown in the Capital city, informed Traders’ Association Secretary.
A godown owner said, “We have not received potato stock from West Bengal and they are not allowing trucks to enter Odisha as they are demanding bribe. The potato stock from Uttar Pradesh has not come either. If the stock doesn’t come, there will be a crisis. Whatever potato consignment is arriving, they are coming after paying bribe."
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“As truck consignment loaded with potatoes are getting stranded, we have sustained loss of Rs 1.5 lakh and the product is getting damaged due to delay. There would be a potato crisis in the next few days if no stock arrives in Odisha,” said a trader.
Earlier, Odisha government had claimed that it would procure potatoes from Uttar Pradesh after West Bengal adopted a non-cooperation stand. Apart from this, the government also claimed that it was also exploring options to procure potatoes from Punjab as well.
As potato prices started to rise again, Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra held an emergency meeting with traders’ associations, cold storage owners and retailers. "Potatoes are available at Rs 30-35 per kg. Reports of it being sold at Rs 40-50 are false. If someone is found selling potatoes at higher prices, then action will be taken after inquiry," said the Minister.
