Odisha minister blames Bengal CM for potato crisis in state
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha food supplies and consumer welfare minister KC Patra on Thursday blamed the West Bengal government for the ongoing potato crisis in the state, accusing it of creating an artificial scarcity to tarnish the reputation of the state's BJP-led government.
"Artificial scarcity was created to bring disrepute to the Odisha government. West Bengal chief minister recently stopped supply of potatoes to Odisha, before agreeing to resume shipments," he told reporters.
Amidst mounting criticism for his handling of the crisis, Patra remarked, "I don't understand why they (West Bengal) are doing this. It's obvious that prices will rise when there's less supply in the market."
Asked about the duration of the crisis, Patra reassured the public, "As of now, there is sufficient potato stock in Odisha, and prices will eventually come down on their own."
However, BJD MLA Goutam Buddha criticised Patra’s comments, accusing him of deflecting responsibility.
"The minister is making such statements to cover up the government’s failure to meet the potato requirements of the people. The fact is that people are suffering," Buddha said.
The state has been grappling with a severe potato shortage after West Bengal halted exports on November 28 after prices in local markets surged to Rs 35-40 per kg.
As a result, hundreds of trucks carrying potatoes to Odisha were turned back at the border, leading to chaos in markets and prices soaring to Rs 60 per kg.
Patra assured that the Odisha government is prepared to source potatoes from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab if West Bengal halts supply again, noting that the state heavily relies on its neighbour for potato imports.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
