Potato crisis: Raids underway in Bhubaneswar; statements of officials, traders differ

Again Odisha is staring at an imminent potato crisis with prices of the tuber skyrocketing in the past several days. Though the officials of the Civil Supplies Departments claim that fresh potato stock is arriving from Uttar Pradesh, the traders claim that there is a huge gap in supply which is leading to black marketing and price rise.

The lack of coherence in the statements of the traders and officials has created confusion in the minds of the consumers who are bearing the brunt of the price rise of potatoes.

Amidst such a situation, the officials of the Civil Supplies department on Tuesday conducted a raid at Aiginia godown following allegations of the sale of potatoes at high rates.

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A seven-member team carried out an inspection by checking the potato stock in godowns and receipt details.

“We learnt that potato stocks are coming from Uttar Pradesh and other parts and we have come to review what problems are being faced by the traders,” said CSO Sanjib Sahu.

A trader, however, informed that only two truck-load of potatoes have reached from West Bengal today. No truck has arrived from Uttar Pradesh. The traders claim that there is a requirement of 15 to 20 truckloads of potatoes while only 2 to 3 trucks are arriving in Odisha with the stock.

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Sudhakar Panda, secretary of the traders’ association said. “We expect that the situation is likely to ease in one week. Today, 30 to 40 trucks have reached and another 120 more are likely to arrive in Odisha. Only the government can say where is the problem.”\

Panda further informed that the prices are governed by demand and supply and other factors. Gradually, the prices of potatoes are likely to drop.

On Monday, the price of potatoes per quintal was between Rs 3,100 to Rs 3,300 and today the price is around Rs 2,800 to Rs 3,100.

“No discussion has taken place between West Bengal and Odisha government. However, we had held talks with West Bengal traders as they are in a hurry to sell their potato stock. However, due to restrictions, they are not able to sell,” he added.