Odisha CM speaks to his West Bengal counterpart over potato crisis, requests to normalise supply

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday spoke to his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee over the ongoing potato crisis in the State.

During his conversation with Banerjee over the phone today, Majhi informed her that the potato crisis in Odisha somehow had become normal after his discussion with her in Delhi. However, the problem in the supply of potato to the State began again a few days later.

Therefore, Majhi requested his West Bengal CM to normalise potato supply. The latter also said to have assured the former to take appropriate steps to normalise the supply of potato to Odisha.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the West Bengal government has reportedly installed CCTV cameras along its border with Odisha to keep a track on the movement of potato laden trucks.

It is to be noted here that the potato crisis in Odisha has been going for the past several days after West Bengal government stopped the supply of the tuber to the state. Due to shortage of potatoes, the prices had risen to upto Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg in Odisha. Later, the State government imported potato from Uttar Pradesh to meet the people’s need. However, the price continued to be high.

On the other hand, the Odisha government has started to sell 3 kgs of potatoes at Rs 100 to the people.