In Odisha, despite a steady supply of potatoes from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, the retail prices have remained unregulated. To address this, the state government has partnered with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) to offer potatoes at a subsidized rate. Initially, 60 tonnes of potatoes have been procured from Uttar Pradesh, which will be distributed across various cities including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Sambalpur, at a reduced price of approximately $0.36 per kg.
The initiative began in Bhubaneswar, intending to counteract the high retail prices that have persisted despite the normal flow of goods. Shakti Shankar Mishra, a secretary of the Kuberpuri Bayabasayee Sangh, highlighted that there is no shortage of potatoes, and criticized retailers for selling at inflated prices. The wholesale price stands at roughly $0.34 per kg, yet retailers have been marking it up significantly.
Mishra also pointed out discrepancies in onion prices, with retail prices remaining high compared to wholesale rates. He criticized the state's regulatory agencies for not effectively monitoring and controlling market prices. In defense, a retailer mentioned the poor quality of wholesale potatoes as a reason for the higher retail prices, noting losses due to waste in the packets.
The state government's initiative aims to ensure the affordability of essential goods for consumers, amidst criticisms of market price regulation failures.
Source: New Indian Express