Bhubaneswar, July 30: The price rise of essential commdities is not only affecting Odisha, but also other states. Odisha is suffering due to adverse weather conditions and import of essential commodities like pulses, edible oil, sugar, and others from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal, said Food Supplies Mininster, Krushna Chandra Patra.
Replying to the Opposition-sponsored adjourment motion, the minister explained that fluctuations in international market prices and changes in supply chain dynamics directly impact local market prices.
Patra noted that, adverse weather conditions this year have caused a decline of approximately 10 to 12 percent in pulse imports nationwide. This reduction has contributed to price hikes within supply chains, subsequently affecting local markets.
The government has taken the following steps to ensure that the people of the state can get daily essential commodities at affordable prices. The Minister said, all District Magistrates in the state have been instructed to rigorously monitor the prices and availability of essential commodities such as rice, pulses, oil, potatoes, and onions. The State Supply Department and field officers of the Trade Intelligence Branch are consistently enforcing measures to combat black market activities in essential commodities. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to ensure that consumers can access these goods at reasonable prices
All District Magistrates have been tasked with monitoring the stock levels of wheat and wheat-based products, potatoes, onions, pulses, and oil. The state government is currently analyzing the prices and availability of essential commodities in the key markets across each district. The state is contemplating to establish mandis and cold storage facilities at the district level to ensure efficient distribution of produce and proper storage of surplus. Additionally, the state government has now set maximum quantities for various varieties of pulses. Furthermore, all district magistrates and departmental officers have been instructed to enforce provisions of the Essential Commodities Act against black marketers and profiteers, he added
Moving the adournment motion the on the issue, Opposition BJD MLA Niranjan Pujari said, within just a month and a half of the general election the prices of essential foods for the poor and middle class, such as potatoes, pulses, tomatoes, and onions, have surged drastically.
BJD MLA Byomakesh Ray suggested that the state government should reduce the tax on petrol and diesel to upset the price rise of essential commodies. .
Partipcipating the in the discussion, Congress MLA Ramachandra Kadam asked the government about its sucess of the potato mission, Emphasizing the need for price control measures, he suggested establishing a corpus fund to regulate prices, citing discrepancies between government rates and market prices. Kadam highlighted that soaring prices are impacting the affordability of essential items like oil and pulses, particularly affecting lower-income households.