Bhubaneswar
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has banned trucks from going out to control rising potato prices in the state. After this, trucks loaded with potatoes are not going to Odisha and other border states. The Majhi government of Odisha is in trouble due to this decision. West Bengal’s ban amid increasing demand for potatoes in the state has increased the government’s concern. West Bengal and Odisha have once again come face to face over potatoes. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has banned trucks from going out to control rising potato prices in the state. After this, trucks loaded with potatoes are not going to Odisha and other border states. Due to this decision of Mamata Didi, the Majhi government of Odisha is in trouble. West Bengal’s ban amid increasing demand for potatoes in the state has increased the government’s concern. However, Odisha ministers are saying that they will no longer appeal to Mamata government and are ordering potatoes from UP. Amidst all this, potato prices in Odisha have crossed Rs 45 to Rs 50 per kg.
Know what is the matter
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Friday banned the supply of potatoes outside the state. Potato from West Bengal goes to many northeastern states including Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam. Mamata Banerjee gave these instructions to control the continuously increasing potato prices in West Bengal. After this, trucks loaded with potatoes that had left for different states from West Bengal were stopped at the borders. Here the truck drivers were asked to take their trucks back to where they brought them from. After this the trucks returned.
What did Odisha government say
The Majhi government of Odisha has also taken a tough stance on the decision of the West Bengal government. Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krishna Chandra Patra accused Mamata Banerjee of playing politics over the supply of potatoes. He said that we will not request West Bengal to restore supplies. She has done this before also. If West Bengal sends potatoes from its side, Odisha will accept it.
It is not right to ban the supply of goods
Minister Patra said that it is not appropriate to restrict the supply of vegetables or goods to any state as all the states are part of one country and everyone should live together. West Bengal is also dependent on other states for fish and other commodities. If it wants, Odisha can also stop goods vehicles at its border. But, we will not do that. We have made arrangements for the supply of potatoes. Potatoes have started arriving in the state from Uttar Pradesh. Consumers will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 2 per kg on potatoes brought from UP. The Odisha government has drawn up an action plan to make the state self-reliant in potato production in the next two years.
Potato prices increased in Odisha
Retail prices of vegetables have increased in the local markets of Odisha due to the ban imposed by West Bengal. Traders said that the potatoes which were being sold at Rs 33 to 35 per kg in the markets of Odisha three days ago, are now being sold at Rs 45 to 50 per kg.
Why is Bengal potato important for Odisha?
Bengal potato is very important for Odisha. Actually, Bengal is the second largest potato producing state in the country. Every year 110 lakh tonnes of potatoes are produced here. Out of this, 20 to 22 lakh tonnes of potatoes goes to other states. Whereas Odisha requires 13 lakh metric tons of potatoes every year. But only three lakh tonnes of potatoes are produced here.