JHARSUGUDA: Retailers in the district have almost stopped selling onion and potato after Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar fixed their profit margin.
They said they used to procure onion at Rs 22 per kg and sell at Rs 30. Similarly, potato was sold at Rs 20 to Rs 22 per kg against the buying price of Rs 14.40 from the wholesale market.
Objecting to the Collector’s decision, they stopped selling the vegetables instead incurring losses. Md Talha, a local retailer, said, “Since about 25 per cent of onion and potato go waste, there is no point in selling the perishable products at the rate fixed by the Collector.”
Suresh Jalan, a potato wholesaler, said, “We have sufficient stock of potato but the retailers are not buying it in weekly market. We hope the issue would be resolved soon.”
Civil Supply Officer (CSO) BL Das said since the retailers are not selling onion and potato in the daily market, the stocks have been supplied to grocery stores. The problem would be resolved in a few days, he added.
On Thursday, wholesalers and retailers were directed by the Collector to keep the profit margin of not more than Rs 3 for onion and Rs 4 for potato per kg and also ensure that the customers are not harassed for the price. The CSO and his staff were also told to conduct surprise check on wholesalers and retailers for strict implementation of the order.