Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain at a meeting on Tuesday reviewed the retail prices of onions and assured Delhiites that the government was taking necessary measures to ensure regular supply of the vegetable at affordable rates.
He said the government would take strict enforcement action against black marketeers, hoarders and profiteers.
₹23.90 per kg
The government had on Monday said it was shortly going to sell onion at a subsidised rate of ₹23.90 per kg from its 390 fair price shops and 80 mobile vans. At the meeting, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev directed the Market Intelligence Cell of the Food Department to keep a close watch on the retail price movement of onion during the next 15-20 days.
“During this period, the government’s policy will be ‘watch, view and review’. The prices of onion will be closely watched, onion price and availability will be strictly viewed while actions and measures would be continuously reviewed and fine-tuned for effective tackling of the situation,” Mr. Dev said.
Tender likely in October
The government said Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) informed at the meeting that it has already floated a short-term tender for shortlisting transporters for getting the onions from NAFED godowns to fair price shops and for sale via mobile vans in various parts of the city. It also said the tender is likely to be finalised by October 4.
Mr. Dev also said time is of the essence in the current situation and the selection process of transporters must be completed by all means and distribution of onions should start by September 28 (Saturday).
Ground reality
However, on the ground, the situation was very different as Delhiites were facing the brunt of the rise in prices. Vendors said they were left with unsold stock. Hamid Rasheed, 23, said he will not buy onions from his suppliers in Okhla Mandi until “government settles on a lesser price”.
Hamid, a vegetable seller in Batla House locality, said, “Two days ago, I had bought a stock but was able to sell only 1 kg till now.”
Referring to seasonal fluctuation in prices, Hareesh Bandari, another vegetable supplier based in Okhla Mandi believes that the situation will remain the same in the coming weeks. “This year, we witnessed a heavy rainfall at places where the onion production is more. This has damaged crops and affected the farmers in Maharashtra, Nasik, Uttar Pradesh and we get our stock from there,” Bandari said. He added that he did not see many of his customers since “it is beyond their budget. However, hotels and restaurants have not compromised. If they need a certain amount of onion, they will buy it irrespective of the price...”
The rising price of onions has also affected roadside eateries. Mohammad Shanoo said he would usually buy 4 kg of onions daily for his omelet stall but now has to hold back to stay profitable.
“These days I have to limit the use of onions which is making my customers unhappy. I use just 1.5 kg of onions now,” he said.
(With inputs from Sheikh Saqib)
Published - September 25, 2019 12:52 am IST
