Bhubaneswar: Consumers of Odisha are concerned over the steep hike in the prices of potato and onion.
According to reports, the prices of the onion and potato have gone up to Rs 30 and Rs 15 per kg respectively within a week.
While the retail price of onion in Odisha last month was Rs 12 per kg, it was sold at Rs 15 a kg in the open market. However, the price suddenly went up to Rs 20-Rs 22 per kg in the last week and again went up to Rs 30 per kg this week.
Similarly, the retail price of potato, which was Rs 10 per kg last month, has gone up to Rs 15 per kg.
According to official sources, due to flood in Nasik in Maharashtra, the import of onion to Odisha has been stopped. Some whole sellers of Odisha, who have managed to import onion from Nasik, are charging an extra Rs 4-5 per kg.
Similarly, the import of potato from West Bengal has been stopped due to the ongoing strike by the West Bengal Truck Owners’ Association.
Taking the present situation into consideration, the price of these two essential commodities will further go up in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the traders’ bodies of Odisha have urged the state government to take alternative steps to import onion and potato from other neighbouring states to tide over the situation.
