Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has attributed the recent rise in prices of several food items and vegetables to adverse weather conditions, crop damage and developments at the national and international levels, while asserting that the state is taking measures to check black marketing and profiteering.
Replying to questions raised by opposition MLAs in the Assembly, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said the increase in prices was part of an “all-India phenomenon”, with marginal increases recorded in the prices of pulses, edible oil and onion.
The minister said unfavourable weather and flood-like conditions in major vegetable-producing areas had damaged crops, resulting in higher vegetable prices.
According to the government, average retail prices in Odisha are lower than the national average for several commodities. Arhar dal is cheaper by 3.13 per cent, moong dal by 4.15 per cent, chana dal by 3.90 per cent, biri dal (black gram) by 1.75 per cent and potato by 31.87 per cent.
However, edible oil prices in Odisha are 2.5-3 per cent higher than the national average, while onion and sugar prices are higher by 4.96 per cent and 0.48 per cent, respectively.
The minister said the government was monitoring prices of essential commodities in major markets and checking stock declarations made by dal and sugar millers, wholesalers and retailers through the government portal. Field officials are verifying the declared stocks.
In view of the increase in onion prices, onions are being sold to consumers at ₹35 per kg through mobile vans operated with the support of NAFED and NCCF at different locations, Patra said.
He added that the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department and its Market Intelligence Branch were conducting regular inspections to curb hoarding, black marketing and profiteering and ensure the availability of essential commodities at affordable prices.
MLAs Dhruba Charan Sahu, Prakash Soren and others had raised questions on the issue in the Assembly.
