Odisha govt asks dist collectors to take action against potato hoarders

Bhubaneswar: In view of rising trend in potato price in past few days, Odisha government asked the district collectors to take action against the hoarders and black marketers across the state.

The district administrators have been directed to keep close watch on availability and arrival of potatoes in the market and ensure those to the consumers at a reasonable price, said sources in Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department.

The action will be taken against the hoarders and unscrupulous traders under the provision of Essential Commodities Act, 1955, if they will be found hoarding potatoes and sell it at higher prices.

The collectors of the border districts are requested to ensure that flow of potato from the producing states to Odisha is not disrupted, the department said in a letter addressed to all the district collectors.

The move came after the price of the vegetable rose to Rs 18 per kg in different domestic markets across the state.

Notably, less production of potato in producing states like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh is believed to be reason behind price rise of the vegetable in Odisha.