Bhubaneswar: Despite procurement of potato from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha continues to face fluctuating price of the tuber in its market at different places.
Consumers across Odisha have been hit hard by the rising potato price following the impasse with West Bengal, which has been the major source of supply of the tuber.
Speaking on the issue, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said that the government is making serious efforts to regulate the prices.
Noting that adequate quantity of potato has arrived from Uttar Pradesh, the Minister said Odisha will also explore Punjab and procure potato from there, if necessary, to meet the demand.
“Potatoes are coming from UP at present. If required, we will get potatoes from Punjab also for the benefit of consumers,” he said,
The Minister, however, emphasised that the permanent solution to the issue lies in starting our own production. The Chief Minister has announced establishment of 58 cold storages in all sub-divisions of the state and farmers will be encouraged to take up potato cultivation in a big way, Patra said.
With potato emerging a hot topic for discussion in the state, BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo lashed out at the BJP government and claimed that bulk of the potato coming from UP turned out to be rotten.
People of the state continue to suffer because of the BJP government’s ego, she claimed, adding that the state government is not procuring potato from West Bengal as the saffron party is not in good terms with Trinamool Congress, the ruling party in the neighbouring state.
Dismissing allegation that the potato stocks from Uttar Pradesh are rotten and getting damaged early, the Minister said the quality of potatoes being imported from the northern state ais far better than those from West Bengal.
“The allegation is completely false and baseless. Uttar Pradesh potatoes are being sold in Odisha market and the quality is quite good,” said Patra.
As Odisha traders are used to procure potatoes from West Bengal, such statements are being made.
Patra said the state decided to get potato from Uttar Pradesh as Odisha did not want to fall victim to the blackmailing by West Bengal. The state is also keen to maintain its self-respect, he said.
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