Potato soaring high in Odisha too, CM Majhi meets Mamata to address issue

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday in New Delhi to discuss the ongoing potato supply crisis from West Bengal to Odisha. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the NITI Aayog Governing Council, sought Banerjee's intervention to resolve the issue that has significantly impacted potato prices in Odisha.

Majhi announced the discussion on social media, stating, "Discussed the potato supply problem in Odisha with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee... To resolve this temporary issue, Odisha’s supply minister has verified stock and reviewed the situation. The state government is taking necessary steps to control potato prices and solve the supply problem as soon as possible."

According to a release from the Odisha Chief Minister's Office, Majhi requested Banerjee to streamline the potato supply chain to alleviate the issues caused by "restrictions on the potato supply outside Bengal leading to an artificial price rise here."

The potato supply crisis has sparked a political debate, with the ruling BJP accusing the BJD government of failing to make Odisha self-sufficient in potato and onion production during its 24-year rule. BJP leader Patra claimed, "The BJD government is responsible for this crisis. The potato mission of the BJD government could not succeed due to mismanagement." In contrast, BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra credited former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's recent letter to Banerjee for the resumption of potato supply from Bengal, defending the BJD's efforts despite various challenges.