Bhubaneswar, Aug 6: The shortage of potatoes in Odisha turned out to be a major concern for the state government as the last stock had come a couple of days ago.

Speaking to media persons, Sudhakar Panda, General Secretary, Odisha Traders Association (OTA), said that lack of stock in godowns is pushing the merchants to sell potatoes at high price.

"We don't have stock (potatoes) at the godown in Aiginia (Bhubaneswar). The godown is empty. It's been two days since the last stock of potatoes had come," said Panda, adding: "The merchants, who have even a little stock, are selling it on high price."

Speaking about the current stock of potatoes, he said it would last for a maximum of three days. "We have only 17 tons of potatoes in the cold storages. It would last for a maximum of three days," Panda asserted. "If the government doesn't look into it or find a solution quickly, people would not find potatoes in the state," he added.

It was reported that West Bengal had given green light to export potatoes to Odisha. However, not even a single potatoes-laden truck has made past the Odisha-West Bengal border.

Reportedly, West Bengal police is still restricting the trucks to go past WB limits for Odisha. The trucks, which were set to come to Odisha, were being ordered by the WB police to return from Sonakania -- a village in Odisha-WB border.

It has also been reported that the WB police are allegedely demanding hefty amounts of money from the traders who are trying to bring potatoes from WB through alternate routes or check points. 

The WB police has reportedly been stopping the trucks, who are trying to enter Odisha, at a temporary check point in Belda, 60 kms from Sonakania Gate.

Earlier, Odisha Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra Monday said that after Uttar Pradesh, the state will go for the potatoes from Punjab. "Currently the potatoes are coming from UP. And, if required, we will import potatoes from Punjab," said the Food Supplies Minister when being asked about the ongoing issue.

He had also quashed the reports of the potatoes from UP are rotten quickly. "The reports are completely false. The UP potatoes are being sold in Odisha and the quality is quite good," said Patra. "We chose our self respect rather than being blackmailed by West Bengal. What is necessary right now, is that consumers to have sufficient potatoes," he explained.

Several truckloads of potatoes from UP had reached the Capital City godowns August 2. With the arrival of potatoes, the price of the daily consumed tuber is likely to fall gradually. The retail price of potatoes now stands at Rs 40 per kg in markets across the State. 

The saga unfolded when potatoes' price skyrocketed after West Bengal Govt, led by Mamata Banerjee, ordered the state police July 25 to stop the potato-laden trucks from leaving West Bengal border to Odisha.

Taking an immediate action, the Food Supplies Minister had called an emergency meeting July 26 following his inspection of potato godowns. He had also issued warning to swindling traders and ordered them not to overprice the potatoes or else they have to face consequences.

Patra had also slammed Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik for his interference on this issue. Naveen had reportedly written a letter to Mamata Banerjee over the issue. Patra has termed the move by Naveen as "dirty politics".

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