Bhubaneswar, Jul 27 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said he has discussed with his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee about issues related to potato supply from her state.
He sought Banerjee’s intervention to resolve the crisis arising out of the “stoppage” of potato supply from West Bengal.
Majhi met Banerjee in New Delhi as they were in the national capital to attend the Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog.
Taking to X, Majhi said, “Discussed the potato supply problem in Odisha with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee…To resolve this temporary issue, Odisha’s supply minister has verified stock and reviewed the situation. The state government is taking necessary steps to control potato prices and solve the supply problem as soon as possible.” According to a release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office here, Majhi requested Banerjee to streamline the potato supply chain.
He urged her to resolve the issue at the earliest since people in Odisha are facing problems with “restrictions on the potato supply outside Bengal leading to an artificial price rise here”.
On Friday, BJD president and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik wrote to Banerjee, urging her to intervene and resolve the crisis due to the “stoppage” of potato supply to Odisha.
“Now, the potato transportation process has become normal,” Majhi said.
While claiming that potato transportation from West Bengal has resumed, the state government capped the price of the tuber at Rs 32 per kg.
State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has asked officials to take strict action against erring traders who allegedly demand more prices.
The price of potatoes has shot up to Rs 50 a kg.
The minister said, “Some unscrupulous traders are behind the sudden increase in potato prices. They are being monitored. Potatoes shall be sold at 32 per kg.” Meanwhile, a slugfest began between the ruling BJP and the Opposition BJD for Odisha not becoming self-sufficient in potato and onion production.
“The BJD government is responsible for this crisis. During its 24 year-rule, it failed to make the state self-sufficient. The potato mission of the BJD government could not succeed due to mismanagement,” Patra said.
The minister claimed that the BJP government will make the state self-sufficient in potatoes in the next two to three years.
BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra claimed that Bengal resumed potato supply to Odisha after Patnaik wrote to Banerjee.
“The potato mission could not be taken up due to different reasons,” Mishra said.
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said both BJD and BJP are responsible for the potato crisis in the state. PTI AAM BDC BDC
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