Bhubaneswar: Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department, Krushna Chandra Patra Monday said that the Odisha government is planning to construct cold storage facilities in every block of the state.
Patra pointed out that once the facilities come up, it will help in controlling the price hike of vegetables. However, he pointed out that the job is monumental and it will take some time before each block has a cold storage facility.
“We have plans to open cold storage facilities in every block of Odisha,” Patra told reporters here. “Once they are set up, the hike in vegetable prices can be controlled,” he added.
The minister also explained as to why the price of onions is on the rise. “Onions are brought from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh at Rs2,953 per quintal. Hence it boils down to Rs29.53 per kilogram. Then transportation costs and profits of wholesalers and retailers are added, making the final selling price of onions at Rs40 to 45 per kilogram,” the minister stated.
Patra also said that the government is closely monitoring the situation to prevent unauthorised hoarding and storing of vegetables. “We will take strict action against anyone who tries to trouble the consumers,” Patra asserted.
Patra said that the Odisha government has nothing to do in the hike in rates of potatoes.
“Potato price rise is due to the hike in rates in West Bengal and Assam, two states that supply the vegetable to us,” Patra stated.
Patra pointed out that by only developing cold storage facilities, the hike in rates of all vegetables can be controlled. “It is a time consuming process, but we are committed about the project and we will certainly do it,” Patra stated.
On being asked about the rising price of tomatoes and other veggies in the state, the minister said, “The government doesn’t have control over the prices of many products. We have to bring these from other states. Hence the rates go up regularly,” Patra stated.
PNN