Commerce Minister terms it shocking and unfortunate
Even as onion prices show no signs of cooling down due to inconsistent supplies, the prices are likely to increase further with Pakistan deciding to ban its export to India through the Wagah border.
Terming it shocking, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said the issue was being taken up with the concerned authorities in Islamabad.
“It is shocking and unfortunate that Pakistan has banned onion exports to India. We have urged them that the contracted quantities should be released,” Mr. Sharma said here. He said the government was also exploring all options.
Reports said authorities in Pakistan on Thursday stopped 300 truckloads of onion bound for India on the Wagah border, saying exports had to be curbed to control prices in their own country.
Mr. Sharma said that State-run State Trading Corporation (STC) and Projects Equipment Commodities (PEC) Ltd. had signed contracts for getting onions from Pakistan. “The matter has been discussed with the High Commissioner in Islamabad, who has already met the concerned officials in the neighbouring country.”
He said decisions taken should be implemented and the convoy of trucks should not have been stopped. Asked whether Pakistan's action was in retaliation to India restricting cotton exports, Mr. Sharma said New Delhi's decision was not aimed at Pakistan. The government had put a ceiling of 55 lakh bales on cotton exports for the current season.
He, however, said a large quantity of onions from Pakistan will be reaching Mumbai via the sea route shortly. The STC has also approached the External Affairs Ministry seeking its intervention in the issue. The STC and PEC were asked to import 300 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes of onions respectively to contain prices in the domestic market, which had skyrocketed to Rs.75-85/kg in retail markets on December 22 and continue to rule at Rs. 45-70/kg in metros.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India, which was to store the onions imported from Pakistan and distribute it to retail outlets such as Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy, said trucks were to cross Amritsar by afternoon and reach Delhi on Friday morning, but that did not happen. It has kept its storage facilities ready.
Pakistan, which started exporting onions to India in mid-December had been sending over 300 tonnes of onion every day, mainly through the Wagah border.
Keywords: Pakistan onion export, Wagah border crossing,
India will never ever learn from their past experience with Pakistan.It is stupid to relay on them for the supply of onion. What happens if we go without onion for few months.Indians should know how to live without pulses, oils or few vegetables.Learn how to get down to the realities of life.Start growing stuff domestically, if possible, or approach Countries which are willing to supply on the basis of mutual trade.Never ever rely on Pakistan. They will try to strangulate us wherever possible. They are waiting for an opportunity.
The govt. shouldn't be worried about the skyrocketing onion prices, as the next general election is a long way away. Indian people are used to living with poblems like this. How shameful it is for our system it fails at every step.
Inflation is a situation of continuous rise in prices. To contain this inflation prices must fall, and for prices to fall supply must increase so as to satisfy the demand. The demand must be such that wages are such that the prices are within the reach of disposable income. The main element, hence, is the disposable income. Nothing to do with Pakistani supply of onions, India must look deeper into the domestic problems of its disposable income.
This may be so as their system is either more responsive to the physical and political need for the day or is less corrupt then us who would allow export today then make efforts for import tomorrow having a nice game at both the ends of export and import.
A country that is basically bankrupt and surviving on handouts has the gall to do this. Pakistan survives on blackmails and skulduggery
The only way to curb the price rise is to stop eating onions for 15 days. Reduce the intake of milk ,vegetables to 50%. Eat namkeen yellow rice one time. Be rigid on these principles. Teach a lesson to hoarders and finally defeat Sharad Pawar Gin next elections. Don't forget this sacred duty when the elections come.
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