Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Krushna Chandra Patra on Wednesday held talks with his West Bengal counterpart, Ashok Kirtania, in Kolkata to strengthen coordination between the two neighbouring states and ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, including potatoes.
During the meeting at Khadya Bhawan, the two ministers discussed a range of issues concerning food supply and consumer welfare and explored ways to enhance cooperation in sectors of mutual interest. They agreed on the need for close coordination between Odisha and West Bengal to safeguard the interests of consumers in both states.
Kirtania assured Patra that the supply chain of essential commodities, particularly potatoes, would be maintained without disruption and that the West Bengal government would take all necessary measures to ensure a steady supply. He also assured that the discriminatory approach allegedly adopted by the previous government towards Odisha in matters related to food supply would not be repeated, according to an official statement.
The West Bengal minister also appreciated the Odisha government’s initiatives in various public welfare sectors and reiterated his government’s commitment to extending all possible cooperation in areas related to food supplies and consumer welfare.
Both ministers expressed confidence that Odisha and West Bengal would continue to work together to protect the interests of the people of both states while advancing development-oriented programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Patra is on a two-day visit to Kolkata and also met several other dignitaries during the visit.
