Opposition slams Naveen govt over Potato Mission failure

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress today launched a scathing attack on the Odisha government over failure of the Potato Mission in state after reports of a possible rise in prices of the vegetable in the coming three-four months due to crop damage in different parts of the country.

"Odisha government had assured that with the implementation of the 'Potato Mission', the State would never face any shortage. But it did not happen; it's a failed mission," alleged BJP's Padampur MLA Pradeep Purohit.

"Where has the money earmarked for the Potato Mission gone? If the tuber's price will increase to Rs 40 then farmers and common people will hit the streets," said Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

"The current rise in market price is due to the speculations of a possible rise in potato prices in Kolkata market. Odisha will not get too affected by it. We will store and supply it to people," said Food and Civil Supplies Minister Surya Narayan Patro.

Besides, the government will not allow Potato prices to rise and curb illegal hoarding by traders to control the price, he added.