Bhubaneswar, Dec. 4: The focus is now on establishment of cold storages across the state, especially in view of the scarcity of potato and other vegetables.

The state has only 15 government-run cold storages. While six cold storages are being operated under the co-operation department, the horticulture directorate runs five such units. Four others are operational under the state-run Agriculture Promotion and Investment Corporation Limited.

The issue was raised in the Assembly today with members irrespective of party affiliations demanding establishment of more cold storages to store the agricultural produce of the state and those procured from other states.

The state produces two lakh tonnes of potato as against the total requirement of nine lakh tonnes. The rest quantity is procured from Bengal and other states. There is need for storing potatoes produced in the state and procured from other places as well. Otherwise, the state has to face scarcity of the commodity during the lean period.

“Establishment of cold storages is need of the hour to store potato and other vegetables, which are perishable commodities,” said an MLA, urging the government to encourage setting up of more cold storages in the private sector.

“Private entrepreneurs are not coming forward to set up cold storage as they are not being given subsidy on power consumption and seed capital,” said BJD member Prasant Nanda.

Echoing Nanda, his party colleague, Sipra Mallick, said cold storages were lying defunct in Kendrapara district due to non-payment of electricity dues.

Arabinda Dhali (BJD) said the government should take steps to revive the defunct cold storages and set up the new units. Even Congress member Debi Prasanna Chand went a step further by demanding waiver of electricity duty for agriculture and agro-based industries. Agriculture minister Debi Prasad Mishra said the state energy department and the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission would be consulted regarding the electricity subsidy.

Mishra said provision of capital investment subsidy of 60 per cent for up to 5,000 metric tonne-capacity cold storages to be set up in general area and 75 per cent subsidy for scheduled areas had been made under 2013 state agriculture policy.