Centre combats high onion prices, sale at reduced rates

Centre has taken several measures to combat the prices of onion in Delhi and other parts of the country. It is offloading onion from its buffer stock through agencies like Nafed and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) which are selling at around Rs 22/kg and state-run Mother Dairy at Rs 23.90 per kg in the national capital.

New Delhi: Onion prices are soaring high in different states of India where the per kg rate varies from ₹60 to ₹80. The Centre has taken several measures to arrest the prices of onion in Delhi and other parts of the country.

It is offloading onion from its buffer stock through agencies like Nafed and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) which are selling at around Rs 22/kg and state-run Mother Dairy at Rs 23.90 per kg in the national capital.

Onion prices in Vijayawada have touched an all-time high, as it is being sold at Rs 47 per kg in the government-organized Rytu Bazaars (local market) while being sold at Rs 60 in the private markets.

The state receives its regular supply from Maharashtra which is receiving incessant rainfall, leading to a shortage in the supply. This has contributed to the escalation in the sale price of the commodity.

The purchasing power of the middle class has been severely hit by the market fluctuation which has led them to make their purchase accordingly.

A customer named Ashok said, "The rates are very high and it is difficult for the middle-class people like us to make the purchase. Just a few days ago I bought them at half of the current price."

"Earlier we used to buy four to five kilograms in an instance but now we are forced to adjust our purchase", another customer affirmed.

Meanwhile, Marketing Minister of the state, M Venkata Ramana on Monday held a review meeting on the escalating prices where he ordered the officials to procure yield from Maharashtra with an immediate effect.

He also asked the officials to identify malpractices causing the escalation in the cost by hiding stock and creating artificial shortages.

Onion prices in Bengaluru surged after the rain hits the supply and selling at Rs 60 per kilograms (Kg).

"Onion price was Rs 20 per kg and now there is a shortage of supply due to rains and therefore we are getting onions at Rs 50-60 per kg. This is why we are selling it at a price of Rs 60 per kg. It will remain like this for two more months and will stabilize after that," Inayatullah, a vendor at KR Market.