Sambalpur: Rotten Potatoes Supplied at Rs. 30 per Kg in Ration Shops; Beneficiaries Refuse to Buy, 400 Quintals of Potatoes Supplied by NAFED Spoiled Within Seven Days
Distribution of Potatoes in Sambalpur
Sambalpur: Ration card holders in Sambalpur have been supplied with spoiled potatoes. These potatoes are being sold at dealer points for Rs. 30 per kilogram. However, many beneficiaries are refusing to buy them after noticing their poor condition. As a result, large quantities of potatoes are piling up at the ration distribution centers.
In the open market, potatoes are available at a similar price of Rs. 30 – Rs. 35 per kilogram. Given this, beneficiaries are questioning why they should purchase poor-quality potatoes from ration dealers when better options are available in the market.
Source of the Potatoes
To provide potatoes at affordable prices, the district supply department arranged for 400 quintals of potatoes through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). These potatoes were distributed across Sambalpur Municipal Corporation areas and other blocks, including Dhankauda, Maneswar, and Rengali.
However, beneficiaries are raising concerns about how the potatoes, distributed just seven days ago, have already become spoiled. Dealers and organizations responsible for distribution are now facing challenges in addressing this issue.
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Concerns from Beneficiaries and Officials
The district supply officials revealed that the initiative aimed to provide potatoes at a low price, especially since market rates had been higher recently. Unfortunately, this plan did not succeed as intended. Beneficiaries prefer purchasing fresh potatoes from the open market rather than buying spoiled ones from ration dealers.
Additionally, as open market prices dropped to Rs.30 – Rs. 35 per kilogram, the demand for rationed potatoes decreased further. Dealers are struggling to sell these potatoes while ensuring other ration items like rice and other essentials are distributed without issues.
Dealer and Authority Statements
According to Biswaranjan Sahu, the supply officer in charge of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, 70 dealers were given 10 packets of potatoes each about a week ago. These potatoes were meant for beneficiaries, who are under no obligation to buy them. They can still collect rice and other essentials even if they choose not to purchase the potatoes.
Despite the effort to make potatoes available at an affordable price, the initiative has raised questions about quality control and proper storage during distribution. Beneficiaries and officials alike are now seeking solutions to prevent similar issues in the future.
