Bhubaneswar, November 30: The Odisha government has on Saturday announced it will no longer request potato supplies from neighboring West Bengal, following repeated disruptions in the supply chain.
In a statement on Saturday, Odisha's Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said that the state would stop making formal requests for potatoes from the West Bengal government.
"We will not make any further requests to the West Bengal government for potato supplies. If they choose to send potatoes voluntarily, we will accept it, but we will no longer seek their assistance," Minister Patra confirmed.
Minister Patra also reassured the public that there is no risk of a potato shortage in Odisha, clarifying that the state has adequate stocks. Potatoes are currently being bought from Uttar Pradesh at Rs 22 per kilogram, with an additional transport fee of Rs 4. The Minister highlighted that West Bengal is not the only source of potatoes, noting that other states like Punjab are ready and able to supply the commodity to Odisha.
Addressing concerns about a potential price increase due to supply disruptions, Patra firmly stated that potato prices in Odisha have remained stable. "We will take strict action against any traders found selling potatoes at inflated prices," said Minister
