Potato stock reaches Odisha, price yet to drop; Govt to provide 3 kg potatoes at Rs 100 in Bhubaneswar

The consumers across Odisha are now feeling the pinch of price rise of potato. Despite several demands and measures, the prices of the kitchen essential in retail markets are yet to be tamed in the state.

Though some truckloads of potatoes have managed to enter Odisha from West Bengal, there is still fluctuation in the prices in wholesale and retail markets in Odisha. This is creating problems as well as confusion among the consumers.

The price of potato registered a marginal drop on Saturday. However, the rate ranges from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kilo. “We urge Odisha government to take steps so that we get potatoes at cheaper rates,” said a consumer while expressing concern over the price rise of the essential commodity.

A trader at Aiginia godown said, “Already 20 to 21 trucks have reached today and potato is being sold at Rs 29 to Rs 30. As there is no check on the retail market, people are selling at a high rate. It seems that there is some politics which has led to a price rise. Several trucks loaded with potatoes from Uttar Pradesh to Assam via West Bengal have also been detained.”

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has decided to provide three-kilo potatoes at Rs 100 to the people in Bhubaneswar. The Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department today started the process to provide 10 packets of potatoes to each dealer.

The dealers have been instructed to provide 3kgs of potatoes to each family at Rs 100 to all ration card holders and other people. The process will continue till the market rates stabilise, said a senior official adding that adequate stock has been procured by the government.