Potato supplies from West Bengal via trucks was disrupted once again today after a day’s respite when the supply of this all important vegetable from the neighbouring state had resumed yesterday, prompting the Odisha government to announce that the crisis of tuber in the state was over.
But today’s development has put the state administration back in the square hole as it faces severe challenges to keep the potato price in check amid supply disruption and heavy demand.
Several hundred trucks have been stopped near the check gate at Odisha-Bengal border due to security check by West Bengal police, sources said. The state government said, it is taking stock of the situation.
The sudden supply disruption punctures the claim of the state government, which yesterday announced its success in convincing the West Bengal administration to resume potato supplies to Odisha.
After the fresh crisis, the rates of tuber have jumped to hover around higher brackets at various places.
At key markets of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, potato is being sold at Rs 24 a kilo at wholesale point while retailers are charging somewhere between Rs 28 to Rs 30 a kg. At state government-controlled shops, it is sold at Rs 20 per kg but rationed at two kilo per person. At the outlets of Udyan Fresh, an undertaking of state horticulture department, potato is priced Rs 23 per kg with a cap of five kilo per person.
The government also said potato ordered from Nafed (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will reach before Tuesday.
But today’s development has put the state administration back in the square hole as it faces severe challenges to keep the potato price in check amid supply disruption and heavy demand.
Several hundred trucks have been stopped near the check gate at Odisha-Bengal border due to security check by West Bengal police, sources said. The state government said, it is taking stock of the situation.
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“I have sent department officials to inspect the situation at Makrampur check gate. I have also asked the Collector of Balasore to send me details of the number of trucks which entered into Odisha and then we will take some steps,” said Sanjaya Kumar Dasburma, state minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare.
The sudden supply disruption punctures the claim of the state government, which yesterday announced its success in convincing the West Bengal administration to resume potato supplies to Odisha.
After the fresh crisis, the rates of tuber have jumped to hover around higher brackets at various places.
At key markets of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, potato is being sold at Rs 24 a kilo at wholesale point while retailers are charging somewhere between Rs 28 to Rs 30 a kg. At state government-controlled shops, it is sold at Rs 20 per kg but rationed at two kilo per person. At the outlets of Udyan Fresh, an undertaking of state horticulture department, potato is priced Rs 23 per kg with a cap of five kilo per person.
The government also said potato ordered from Nafed (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will reach before Tuesday.