Odisha Minister Declares Independence from Bengal Potato Supply Amidst Shortage Crisis | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Food supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Saturday accused West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of playing politics over the supply of potatoes, leading to a price rise and shortage of the tuber in Odisha. State govt is not going to beg for potatoes from Bengal anymore, he said.
“West Bengal govt is playing politics over potatoes, which is unfortunate. We will not engage with them over the potato issue again or request them to resume supply. If they decide to resume supplies voluntarily, we will accept them. This is not the first time they have done so,” said Patra, alleging the move was politically motivated.
Since Wednesday night, trucks carrying potatoes were stopped at the border with Bengal, leading to a price rise and shortage of the tuber. Sources said Mamata has asked to restrict the supply of potatoes to other states until the prices stabilise.
“It is not proper to restrict the supply of vegetables or goods to any state because all states are under one country and everyone should live together,” Patra said. “States are dependent on each other for various supplies, and such actions go against the spirit of cooperative federalism. Bengal also depends on other states for fish and other items, and those trucks pass through Odisha. If desired, Odisha can also stop the goods vehicles at its border. But we are not going to resort to such actions,” he said.
He said that to mitigate the crisis, state govt began sourcing potatoes from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. “Importing from UP and Punjab has ensured a steady supply but will result in a slight price increase, with consumers paying an additional Rs 2 per kg,” Patra said, acknowledging the burden.
He said state govt is planning to become self-dependent in potato production within two years. “We have prepared an action plan to boost local cultivation and reduce dependency on other states,” he added.
“West Bengal govt is playing politics over potatoes, which is unfortunate. We will not engage with them over the potato issue again or request them to resume supply. If they decide to resume supplies voluntarily, we will accept them. This is not the first time they have done so,” said Patra, alleging the move was politically motivated.
Since Wednesday night, trucks carrying potatoes were stopped at the border with Bengal, leading to a price rise and shortage of the tuber. Sources said Mamata has asked to restrict the supply of potatoes to other states until the prices stabilise.
“It is not proper to restrict the supply of vegetables or goods to any state because all states are under one country and everyone should live together,” Patra said. “States are dependent on each other for various supplies, and such actions go against the spirit of cooperative federalism. Bengal also depends on other states for fish and other items, and those trucks pass through Odisha. If desired, Odisha can also stop the goods vehicles at its border. But we are not going to resort to such actions,” he said.
He said that to mitigate the crisis, state govt began sourcing potatoes from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. “Importing from UP and Punjab has ensured a steady supply but will result in a slight price increase, with consumers paying an additional Rs 2 per kg,” Patra said, acknowledging the burden.
He said state govt is planning to become self-dependent in potato production within two years. “We have prepared an action plan to boost local cultivation and reduce dependency on other states,” he added.
