Price Hike Of Essential Goods A National Issue: Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: The steep hike in prices of essential commodities is a major national issue, Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain informed the Assembly on Wednesday.

Referring to the price hike of edible oil, pulses, potato and onion in Odisha, the minister said the state primarily imports these items from neighbouring states.

Swain said that to regulate the price of these items, the state government is in constant touch with wholesale traders and also directed the authorities concerned to take action against hoarders.

He further said that the state government has issued a storage control order to keep the prices of potato and onion under control. “Also, the state government has formed a corpus fund of Rs 100 crore in coordination with the Centre,” he added.