Bhubaneswar: Odisha Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra today conducted a surprise visit to potato godowns at Aigania and Patrapada in Bhubaneswar and inspected the stocks.
His visit comes amid rising potato prices in the state.
Patra appealed to traders to cooperate with the government and sell potatoes at affordable prices. He directed officials to intensify crackdowns on black marketers and hoarders, ensuring traders record quantities and display fixed prices.
The Minister assured citizens of sufficient potato stocks which would last for one more week and ordered supply officials to enforce retail sales at Rs 32 per kg.
Patra warned of strong action against traders resorting to hoarding and artificial price hikes. He expressed disappointment over the West Bengal government’s decision to stop potato supplies to Odisha, but hoped to resolve the crisis by procuring from Uttar Pradesh within a couple of days.
The retail price of potatoes has surged to Rs. 45-50 per kg due to the short supply. The Minister’s visit and directives aim to stabilize prices and prevent exploitation by unscrupulous traders.
