Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today refuted allegations of government inaction on rising prices of essential commodities, citing national and international market factors.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said the state imports goods like pulses, edible oil, sugar from other states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal from other States.
In response to the Opposition’s adjournment motion in the State Assembly, Patra outlined the measures to ensure that consumers get goods at affordable prices. Patra said that the Collectors are meeting local traders to discuss prices and profitability.
He further added that enforcement is carried out by the State Supply Department and intelligence field staff to prevent the black market of various essential commodities.
The Collectors have been directed to monitor the stock of wheat and wheat national products, potatoes, onions, pulses and oil, Patra maintained.
The state government is studying the prices and availability of commodities in the major markets of the state. A meeting has been held between the government and traders to try to control prices at the state and district levels, he pointed out.
Priority is being given to setting up mandis and cold storage at the district level for fair distribution of the state’s produce and storage of leftovers
The government’s actions aim to mitigate the impact of national and international market fluctuations on Odisha’s consumers, the minister said.
