Several cold storage operators in the Indian state of Odisha who have been on an indefinite strike for the last two weeks, complained last Tuesday that no one from the government has come forward to listen to their grievances while the whole cold storage system in the state has come to a standstill.
Although all the cold storages in the state have been on the strike for the last two weeks, there is no response from the state government. The cold storage operators have been on an indefinite strike since February 22, demanding various basic measures for the industry’s revival and government support to the sector.
“The state government is yet to respond or even call for a meeting with the Cold Storage Association. The shutdown of cold storages will not only hit the entrepreneurial but also the farmers’ community very badly. The government is responsible for the current plight of cold storages in the state and it has to immediately step in for its rescue and revival,” said Janardhan Sahoo, Secretary of the Cold Storage Association of Odisha, which is organising the strike.
Meanwhile, the association said that potato prices are likely to go up if the required steps are not taken by the government. The association said that last week’s rain has damaged the potato crop in low-lying areas of West Bengal. As a result, potato prices may rise after the harvest season.
