TV
As part of a long-term measure to curb inflation, vegetable mandis will come up in all districts across Odisha, including Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
The information was shared by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra after a crucial meeting with the traders held on Monday.
The meeting with traders was convened to discuss various issues including rising prices of commodities.
“There are infrastructural issues and lack of mandis. We have assured to set up mandis in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar at the earliest. As per the decision, mandis will be set up in each district. The farmers will be asked to bring their vegetables and products to the mandis so that everybody can know the exact prices and nobody gets cheated,” said Patra.
According to the minister, some traders informed that the wholesale rate of several vegetables and other items are cheap. The rate increases when the product is sold via various sub-dealers and others for which a consumer has to pay Rs 50. The mandi system can eliminate the role of middlemen, he said.
“We will try to ensure what margin should be kept, each shop should display a rate chart and a plan will be made to control prices. A coordination meeting between the agriculture department, cooperation department and consumer department will be held to discuss various issues at the earliest to increase production,” said the Minister.
People will be encouraged to take up potato and onion cultivation despite Odisha having a favourable climatic conditions. The farmers are reluctant due to a lack of encouragement. Hence, a coordination meeting will be convened and plans will be made for setting up cold storages in the state, he added.
Sudhakar Panda, said, “Today, the minister assured for the development of infrastructure and regular conduct of meetings every three months. We are hopeful that the Odisha government will listen to the issues of the people and resolve various issues. At present, the mandi system is weak in Odisha. If it can be strengthened, it will benefit the producer and the consumer.”
Panda said that this would also benefit the traders and the government.
