With heavy rain in key onion-growing States, such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, fanning fears of a price rise, the Centre has taken steps to control onion rates in Delhi and warned of strict action against hoarders and profiteers.
With onions selling at ₹35-40 per kg at many retail outlets in the Capital, the Department of Consumer Affairs has directed government-owned Mother Dairy to sell onions at its own Safal shops at no more than ₹23.90 per kg for Grade-A variety. This was the prevailing price at Safal outlets on Wednesday, according to an official statement. The decision was taken following a meeting reviewing onion prices in the Capital chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Avinash K. Srivastava.
Safal, which owns about 400 outlets in the National Capital Region, is already being provided onions for sale from the government stock built under the Price Stabilisation Fund.
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The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India have also been directed to retail onions at similar rates. Onions from the government buffer will be offered at cost price to large retailers as well.
“Government will also consider strict action against hoarding and profiteering activities and evaluate the need for imposing minimum export price on onion if the situation so demands,” added the statement.