)
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today urged his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee to take steps for restoration of normal supply of potatoes to the state.
“Banerjee has assured Patnaik that she will look into the matter”, said a release from the Chief minister’s office.
Sources said, the West Bengal government's decision to stop the transportation of potatoes from the state has led to unprecedented rise in the price of the vegetable.
In Odisha, prices of the tuber have appreciated to Rs 25-30 per kg from Rs 16 -17 per kg last week. Lion’s share of state’s demand of the vegetable is met from the neighbouring West Bengal.
The prices of potatoes have also surged in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh etc. The short supply of the kitchen’s favourite from contiguous Andhra Pradesh has also added to the woes, sources said. Officials of the state civil supplies department today inspected the stock of potatoes in the market.
Sources said, the prices of potatoes are likely to drop in next two to three days.
There is no stock of potatoes with the traders. We are helpless if there is no supply, said Sudhakar Panda, Chairperson, Bhubaneshwar Merchants Association.
Trade sources said, at least 25 tonnes of potatoes are required daily to meet the demand of the city and its nearby areas while only eight tonnes have arrived today.
The vegetable was sold at Rs 28 per Kg at Bhubaneswar, Rs 30 at Cuttack and Berhampur, Rs 25 at Balasore and Rs 26 in Sundergarh, Puri, Sambalpur districts.
