Odisha Not To Procure Potato from West Bengal

Bhubaneswar: In response to restrictions imposed by the West Bengal government on the supply of potatoes to other states, the Odisha government has announced that it will no longer procure potatoes from its neighboring state. Odisha’s Supplies Minister, Krushna Chandra Patra, confirmed the decision today, stating, “We won’t procure potatoes from West Bengal. The Odisha government will keep it if they send from their side, but we will not ask for it anymore.”

Minister Patra also addressed concerns over a potential potato shortage in the state, denying any reports of a crisis. “There is no scarcity of potatoes in the state. The potatoes are being procured from Uttar Pradesh at Rs 22 per kg, excluding transport charges of Rs 4. West Bengal is not the only potato-producing state; there are other states that will send potatoes to Odisha. We have approached the Punjab government for potatoes,” he clarified.

Further refuting reports of rising potato prices following the ban on supply from West Bengal, Patra assured that the prices remain stable. “The price of potatoes has not increased. If any trader is found selling potatoes at an inflated rate, action will be taken,” he warned.