Potato crisis: Odisha govt asks to take action against hoarders

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday asked all the districts Collectors and Supplies Officers to take stringent action against potato hoarders in order to check the rising price of the staple item.

The government has also fixed stock limit of the tuber for wholesalers.

The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has fixed the stock limit of potato for wholesalers at 500 quintals in Cuttack, 350 quintals in Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and other places to check price rise of potato.

In a letter to all district Collectors and Supplies Officers, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has asked them to book hoarders and simultaneously ensure an uninterrupted flow of potato import into Odisha from other states.

“Wholesalers in Cuttack city are allowed to stock 500 quintals each, while each wholesaler of Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Puri cities have been permitted a limit stock of 350 quintals each. Wholesalers of other cities and towns in the State have been allowed to stock 150 quintals each,” said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro to media persons here.

If required, an action may be taken against the hoarders and unscrupulous traders under the provision of Essential Commodities Act, 1955,” said the Minister.