The timing becomes very bad for people of Odisha, as they observe a complete vegetarian month in Kartika. As West Bengal has stopped the supply of potatoes because a steep hike in the prices in their state, Odisha has been hard hit by this unprecedented situation.

Potatoes are being sold at Rs 25-30 in Bhubaneswar. There is a shortage in the stock. And, the situation continues like this, the potato prices may escalate to Rs 60-80 and it could eventually vanish from the market.

Potatoes have been an integral part of Odia kitchen. The spiralling vegetable prices have hit the family budget and diet of common people very hard. Potatoes have now added to their woes further. Hundreds of potato-laden trucks are stranded on the Odisha-West Bengal border following the decision of Mamata Banerjee government to stop the supply.

As Odisha can produce just 10-15% of the total potatoes needed in the state, they heavily depend on West Bengal for the supply. The situation may go out of control over the next few days if hoarding of potatoes is not checked. After the menace of Cyclone Phailin, Floods, Incessant Rains, Rising Vegetable prices, onion crisis, now the potato crisis has made things difficult for the common man.