Bhubaneswar, July 29: The potato scarcity in Odisha has become a major concern for Odisha government led by CM Mohan Charan Majhi .
West Bengal, a significant producer of potatoes, has restricted its supply to other states since July 23, leading to a scarcity in Odisha.
The state government in Odisha has issued orders to cap potato prices at Rs 32/kg, but they are currently selling between Rs 50-55/kg in retail.
Odisha depends heavily on West Bengal for its potato requirements, with the state needing over 13 lakh metric tons (MT) annually but producing less than 3 lakh MT locally.
The recent istrike by potato traders in Bengal has exacerbated the situation, causing prices to soar.
Leader of Opposition and former CM Naveen Patnaik, had appealed to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to streamline potato supply.
CM Mohan Majhi also met Mamata in New Delhi to seek her intervention.
The West Bengal government aims to restore normal potato supply after the recent disruption caused by the traders’ strike.
If the supply isn’t streamlined soon, Odisha may turn to Uttar Pradesh to meet its demand.
The potato crisis in Odisha underscores the importance of efficient supply chains and inter-state cooperation to ensure staple food availability for the common people.
