None of six functional cold storages in Odisha run by govt!

Odisha Sun Times Bureau:
Bhubaneswar, Jan 2:

At a time when the Odisha government is all set to launch the ambitious “Potato Mission” next year to make the state self-sufficient in production, preservation and distribution of the tuber, an RTI query reveals the sorry state of affairs of cold storages across the state.

As per the information received through a query filed by RTI activist Pradip Pradhan, there are 18 cold storages in the state out of which only six are functional. Surprisingly, none of them are managed by the state government.

The information provided by the PIO, Registrar, Co-operative Societies reveals that these functional storage units are managed in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

The six operational cold storages are: Bhubaneswar Multi Commodity Co-Op. Cold Storage, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Jagatpur Co-Op. Cold Storage, Jagatpur, Cuttack, Rayagada Multi Commodity Co-Op. Cold Storage, Rayagada, Nimapara MCS & MCS Ltd., Nimapara, Uttarayani PGS and MCS Ltd., Satasankha, and Hindol Road PGS & MCS Ltd.

On the other hand, the remaining 12 cold storages are lying defunct. They are: Bayalisi Mouza Co-Op. Cold Storage, Dadhibamanpur, Bapuji Coop. Cold Storage, Badugram, Athagarh Co-Op. Cold Storage, Banki Co-Op. Cold Storage, Lakheswar Co-Op. Cold Storage, Brahmana Jharilo, Jharsuguda Co-Op. Cold Storage, Gopabandhu Co-Op. Cold Storage, G. Udayagiri Co-Op. Cold Storage, Banai Co-Op. Cold Storage , Bonai, Barapali Co-Op. Cold Storage, Jeypore  Co-Op. Cold Storage, and Berhampur Co-Op. Cold Storage, Ambapua.

Interestingly, some cold storages are managed by Seashore Group under the banner of Seashore Agricultural Promotion Company. The company owned by chit fund firm CMD Prashant Dash is currently lodged in Jharpada Jail here for allegedly duping lakhs of investors to the tune of crores of rupees.