Potato will be made available at Rs 30 a kg: Odisha Food Supplies Minister

When the rising price of potato is burning a hole in common people’s pockets, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announcement of making the tuber available at Rs 30 a kilogram came as a huge relief on Friday. 

Informing about the step taken by the government to solve the potato crisis, Minister Patra, who was in Delhi, said, “After all, they (West Bengal) are our neighbour. Our relationship with them should be good. Our efforts are on to ensure the resumption of potato supply. I hope things will be solved soon. To manage the situation till then, we have entrusted the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) with the task of supplying potatoes. An order has already been placed. In a day or a half, there will be sufficient potatoes. It will be sold at Rs 30 in all cities.”

Also Read: VK Pandian’s chopper rides: Stern action to be taken after probe, says Odisha Transport Minister

Earlier in the day, some protestors stopped all the vehicles carrying food items to West Bengal along National Highway No.16 near Manguli Chhak in a peaceful manner, resulting in hundreds of vehicles getting stranded. 

It has been alleged that the West Bengal government is not allowing potato-laden vehicles to enter Odisha which is why the prices of potatoes have skyrocketed in the Odisha market.