Potato market in the grip of retailers in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 6:  

The potato retailers in the Odisha capital are exploiting the consumers taking advantage of the shortfall of supply due to the nationwide truckers’ strike which was called off late yesterday night.

potato sale

While the price of the kitchen essential was Rs 10 in the wholesale market, the vegetable was being sold between Rs 20 and Rs 22 in the retail market, almost double the price in the wholesale market.

The retailers were selling the tuber at higher price by the retailers citing the truckers’ strike launched since October 1.

However, the Kuberpuri wholesale market on the outskirts of the city had plenty of potato stock to feed the domestic market.

According to sources, the warehouse got truckloads of potato on Sunday amounting to around 200 tonne and around 300 tonne on the following day. Besides, potato stock was also despatched from the local cold storage units.

The wholesale price of the vegetable was Rs 15 a kilo before the strike was launched. But, the price fell to Rs 10 a kilo since Sunday. Despite abundant stockpile in the market, the retailers have been exploiting the consumers owing to the laxity of the authorities.

The Unit I market in the capital was closed yesterday but the price of the vegetable was above Rs 22 in other markets in the city. The vegetable was being sold at Rs 21 at Jatni and upto Rs 22 at Janla, Tomando and Khandagiri on the outskirts of the city.

The unscrupulous retailers have been having a field day following the agitation. Though the state government had directed the officials to keep a vigil on the hoarders and black marketeers, the authorities have allegedly failed to put a check on the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.

“We would launch a crackdown on the retailers from today,” ADM, Bhubaneswar, Abanikanta Patnaik said.

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