The State Government would construct 10 cold storages with funds of the Regulatory Market Committees (RMCs) at different places in six months. Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout said this in the State Assembly on Wednesday while responding to a question of Congress MlA Naba Kishore Das and additional questions put by other Members of the House.
“There are adequate funds available with 10 RMCs and lands have already been identified. Tender notices will be floated in two-three days and cold storages in six months’ time,” said Dr Rout.
It informed the Assembly that only 33 out of total 113 cold storages are functioning now. While the total storage capacity of the 113 cold storages is 3,09,825 metric tonne (MT), the 33 cold storages, which are operating now, have 1,63,180-MT storage capacity.
The Cooperation Department has decided to repair 10 cold storages on PPP mode, he said.
Responding to an additional question of Congress MlA Taraprasad Bahinipati, the Minister admitted that though Koraput produces huge quantities of vegetables, they are not being consumed in the State. Rather they are being transported to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. “Koraput produces 1 lakh tonne to 1.4 lakh metric tonne potato every year. But due to market linkage, huge quantities of potato is being exported to outside the State,” he said.
The Minister too stated the House that the price of potato has increased across the country. “Potato is selling at Rs 15 per kg in West Bengal, at Rs 20 in Mumbai and at Rs 18 in New Delhi,” the Minister said.
Among others, Dr Bibhuti Bhusan Harichandan (BJP), Padmanav Behera (BJD) and Surjya Narayan Patro put additional questions.