Bhubaneswar: In a bid to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential commodities and keep prices under control, the Odisha government convened a high-level meeting with representatives of traders’ associations from various districts.
The meeting was held at the State Supply Corporation Conference Hall and was chaired by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra. Representatives of traders’ associations from different districts actively participated in the discussions.
Detailed deliberations were held on controlling the price hike of essential commodities, maintaining sufficient market availability of food items, and taking action against unnecessary stockpiling and hoarding. The administration specifically instructed traders to keep the retail price of potatoes within Rs. 12 per kg.
Minister Patra stated that there is no shortage of essential commodities in the state. The traders’ representatives assured the government of their full cooperation in maintaining price stability and smooth supply chains. The meeting also discussed better coordination between the government and traders to protect the interests of both consumers and the business community.
Minister Patra gave a patient hearing to the various demands raised by the representatives and promised to take them seriously. He announced that discussions would be held with the District Magistrates of the concerned districts to establish Pariva Mandi and create special business hubs in every district.
Among others, Special Administrative Secretary of Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department Purandar Dharua, Deputy Director of Information and Broadcasting Deepak Satapathy, and prominent traders’ leaders including Sudhakar Panda, Shaktisankar Mishra and Kaviraj Swain were present. Business representatives from Cuttack, Balasore, Ganjam and Balangir districts also attended the meeting.
The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that essential commodities remain available to consumers at reasonable rates at all times.
