Bhubaneswar: In order to resolve the potato crisis and resultant price rice, the Odisha government on Monday sold the tuber, procured from Uttar Pradesh, at Rs 30 per kg in Bhubaneswar.
The potato prices had made a steady rise in the state as its stock got depleted and West Bengal, the major source of procurement, clamping restriction on its supply to Odisha. Despite Odisha government’s appeal to the neighbouring state to resume the supply, there was no improvement in the situation.
It forced the government to procure the potatoes through National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) from Uttar Pradesh.
Around 60 ton of potatoes in three trucks arrived at Bhubaneswar on Monday. The retail outlets of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare department sold the tuber across the city.
Compared to Rs 80-90 per kg in the retail market, the potatoes were sold at these outlets at Rs 30 a kg, much to the relief of the consumers. The department sources said it was the first batch of potatoes that arrived on the day and it will continue to be procured from Uttar Pradesh.
