Bhubaneswar, July 25:With the stalemate over potato supply to Odisha from West Bengal, Food Supply Minister KC Patra on Friday has asserted the consumers to import potato from Uttar Pradesh.
Underlining the skyrocketing prices of potatoes across the state, Patra said that artificial scarcity of the essential kitchen staple has been created by a handful of black marketers and unscrupulous retailers. It’s why a killo of potato is sold out for Rs 45-50 instead of Rs 20-25 a kilo.However, the situation of potato crisis is going to be still affected as hundred loads of potatoes are found detained on the Odisha- West Bengal near the Laxmannath toll gate, due to no transit pass issued to the concerned trucks.
Underlining the potatoe reserves in the state Patra said that at least one-week needs of the Odisha kitchens will be managed with the remaining stock. Meanwhile, discussion with the West Bengal government on uninterrupted supply of potatoes will be initiated. In case of further delay, potatoes will be imported from the Uttar Pradesh farmers.
Government is however in touch with the West Bengal counterpart to normalize usual flow of potatoes from the state. It is expected that the new stock will arrive within one or two days time which will resolve the issues relating to the scarcity and soaring prices of the primary homeneed, Patra added.
