Delhi government explores ways to bring down onion rates

NEW DELHI: With onion prices remaining high in retail markets in the city, Delhi Government today explored ways to bring down the rates even as BJP continued its attack on the administration on the issue.

Food and Supplies Minister Harun Yusuf at a meeting reviewed supply of the kitchen staple to Delhi from various onion producing states. The meeting decided to take steps to improve supply.

Officials said government was concerned about any further hike in the retail rates of onion as its supply to the city has come down marginally.

Onion is being sold at high rate of up to Rs 70 per kg in retail markets in the national capital.

The Delhi government is selling onions between Rs 40-45 a kg at over 1,000 points across the city.

The BJP has been trying to use rocketing onion prices to its advantage in Delhi election. The party today sold the vegetable at Rs 35 per kg at a number of places in the city

The party has been accusing the Delhi Government of "complete failure" to stabilise the rates and even demanded sacking of Yusuf for failing to check the escalating price.

Incidentally, BJP was voted out of power in 1998 in Delhi following spiralling onion prices. The assembly polls in Delhi are slated for November.

Onion Merchant Traders Association President Surendra Budhiraj said prices remain firm at Rs 45-50 per kg in Azadpur market as supply has declined by almost half. Only 7,000 quintal came today against a normal 12,000 quintals, he said.

At Lasalgaon in Nashik district of Maharashtra, a major producing region, wholesale prices were more or less stable at around Rs 43 per kg, according to National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) data.