Cuttack: The trucks to West Bengal from Odisha carrying eggs and fish have been blocked by locals in Cuttack district of Odisha, said reports on Friday.
According to reports the various associations along with the locals have stopped the trucks saying that if West Bengal does not allow potatoes to Odisha they will not allow trucks carrying fish and eggs.
A long row of trucks has been seen to have been stopped near Manguli square on the National Highway No. 16 in Cuttak district limits.
Potato godowns in Cuttack are empty, the potato scarcity in Odisha seems to have hit consumers hard. Potato trucks have stopped coming to Cuttack’s Chhatrabazar. Due to this all of a sudden, the price of a sack of this quintessential vegetable has risen to Rs. 1900 to Rs. 2000 per sack containing 40 kgs as compared the earlier price of Rs. 500. In the retail market, potato is being sold at Rs 70 per kg.
Furthermore in Cuttack, potato is seen to be sold at Rs. 60 rupees per kg and in Bhubaneswar it is hovering at around Rs. 60 to Rs. 70. Potato prices have doubled in just a months’ time. The supply of potato from West Bengal to the state of Odisha has stopped completely. Potatoes are being brought to Odisha from Uttar Pradesh. The required amount of potatoes have not reach the state on time, said sources. In Chhatrabazar 3 kgs of potato is being sold at Rs. 180.
The godowns in which potatoes are stored were seen to be almost empty. On the other hand, the food supply minister said that the situation will be normal soon. Strict action will be taken against black marketers, he had promised while interacting with media earlier this week.
On the other hand, there is dissatisfaction among consumers regarding potato prices. Potato price in Odisha seems to be burning a hole in the pocket of consumers, as this vegetable occupies a pivotal place in most kitchens. The consumers have expressed their utter dismay on the skyrocketing prices of common household vegetables also, especially potatoes. The people whose earning is below the income threshold and middle class families have been badly affected due to rising cost of living.