Check onion hoarding to rein in its price

There have been several fluctuations in the prices of onion since August. This is not for the first time that residents have had to face such an alarming situation. The prices of other vegetables such as peas and cauliflower have also left residents worried. Onion prices are a direct result of the policies of the government. Hoarding has led to an artificial scarcity and a sharp escalation in prices. The average wholesale prices were Rs 1,250 per quintal at Lasalgaon (Maharashtra) on July 31, which was being sold here for Rs 25-30 per kg. Now, in the retail market, the price has shot up to Rs 80 or more per kg. The harvest of fresh onions, which begins in mid-October, will get delayed, leading to a severe shortage by December-end.  The hoarders have already amassed crores. The hoarders have already created artificial scarcity since July. Even tomatoes share the similar fate. The supply of tomatoes has been hit owing to rain. The Chandigarh Administration needs to dismantle hidden onion cartels which have created artificial scarcity and make arrangements to supply onion through the Civil Supplies Department at a reasonable rate of Rs 25 per kg, as was being done in September, by setting up small stalls across the city to sell it at subsidised rates.     

SK KHOSLA, Chandigarh

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