Odisha To Procure Potato From Uttar Pradesh & Reduce Import From Bengal, Says Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday decided to import potato from Uttar Pradesh in view of frequent disruptions in the supply from West Bengal.

Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra gave this information after chairing an important meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. The meeting was attended by senior officials and representatives of traders’ association.

The Minister said that the state government has decided to stop importing potato from West Bengal gradually in view of erratic supply and arbitrary moves by the neighbouring state.

The meeting decided to import potato from Uttar Pradesh from now onwards, he said, adding that in the initial phase permission has been given to the traders to get 20 truck-loads of potato from UP.

A few trucks with potatoes from UP arrived in Odisha on Thursday and a delegation from the state will soon visit the northern state for further discussion.

Regarding price of potato from UP, the Minister said it will be more or less similar to that of West Bengal.

Notably, Odisha has been facing a crisis-like situation following disruption in potato supply from West Bengal recently. As a result, the price of the tuber almost doubled in the market, putting enormous burden on the consumers. Similar situations were witnessed in the past also.

The Minister said that apart from procuring potato from a reliable source, concrete steps will be taken to substantially increase production within the state and strengthen cold storage network.