Odisha CM Seeks Mamata Banerjee's Help Over Potato Supply Crisis

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi contacted West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee to address the deteriorating potato supply situation. Despite previous improvements, the situation has worsened, prompting the Odisha CM to seek intervention. The state has initiated measures like selling potatoes at subsidized rates and sourcing them from Uttar Pradesh.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made an urgent call to his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Sunday, urging her to address the worsening potato supply situation.

Majhi mentioned that while the supply had improved following their New Delhi meeting, the issue has re-emerged, necessitating immediate intervention from Banerjee, per the Chief Minister’s Office.

Banerjee, in response, assured Majhi of taking appropriate steps to resolve the crisis.

Majhi's call came after allegations that West Bengal Police installed CCTV cameras on border villages to monitor unauthorized potato transportation to Odisha. As a countermeasure, the Odisha government has implemented initiatives like selling potatoes at Rs 100 for 3 kg under the public distribution system (PDS). Odisha Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister K.C. Patra announced that potatoes had been sent to various locations via the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. He expressed optimism that traders would sell the tuber at reasonable prices after the government’s intervention.

Odisha has been grappling with an acute potato shortage since West Bengal halted the tuber’s transportation. The state has rejected supplies from Uttar Pradesh, citing preference for local varieties. However, Patra affirmed that potatoes will now be directly brought from Uttar Pradesh, adding that he has communicated with the railway minister to ensure adequate supply for Odisha's needs.

On Saturday, Sanjib Kumar Sahu, Chief Civil Supplies Officer of Odisha, confirmed the arrival of two potato-laden trucks, which were distributed among more than 50 PDS dealers. Additional shipments are anticipated.