1,000 stalls to sell onions cheap: CM
With onion prices skyrocketing in the capital in election year, the city government is trying to pacify Delhiites by selling the edible bulb at cheap rate. Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday said that the government would sell arrange sale of onion at 1,000 places across the capital from Saturday. Onion is selling at `70-80 a kg in most areas.
However, onion prices remain at the previous level of `50-55 per kg at the Azadpur Mandi.
At a high-level meeting on Friday, Ms Dikshit discussed ways and means to contain rising onion prices. The meeting was attended by food and civil supplies minister Haroon Yusuf, minister Raj Kumar Chauhan who looks after functioning of wholesale vegetable markets, chairman (NAFED) Bijender Singh, chief secretary D.M. Spolia and food and supplies commissioner S.S. Yadav.
“Delhi being a non-onion producing state has to depend on onion-producing states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Due to heavy rains, floods, damaged roads and restrictions in movement of traffic due to security reasons due to Independence Day celebrations, the arrival has been substantially affected,” said a senior Delhi government official.
“Onions are being sold at no-profit no-loss basis. From August 17, the sale would start at about 1,000 locations across the city, including outlets of Safal, DAMB, NAFED and 600 points covered by mobile vans. The government is taking all possible measures to ensure adequate supply of onions,” Ms Dikshit said.
Ms Dikshit has asked the concerned departments to keep a close eye on the prices and availability of essential commodities .
The Delhi BJP has accused the government of failing to take steps to rein in the rates.
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