The state is likely to face a shortage of essential commodities like wheat, pulses, rice and edible oils in the next few days as the apex body of traders - Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha - has decided to stop import of these items from April 1. A high-level meeting was held on Wednesday between the state government and the traders' association on withdrawal of 5% VAT from wheat and pulses, but it failed, following which the latter decided to go on strike.
