Onion on way to Ambala depots

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, December 9

As onion prices have been hovering between Rs 80 and Rs 90 a kg in the retail market, the Food and Supplies Department has sought a stock of over 1,939 quintals from the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India so that some respite can be provided to consumers.

As per information available, District Food and Supplies Controller Nishan Rathee, in a letter to the headquarters, has sought the stock for 1,11,810 ration card holder families in Ambala district, excluding Naraingarh and Shahzadpur blocks.

“Onion was sold at Rs 70 a kg in wholesale and between Rs 80 and Rs 90 a kg in retail on Monday. The stock in Ambala coming from Rajasthan is not sufficient. The stock purchased by the government from other countries may bring onion prices marginally down in the coming days,” said a wholesaler.

“Customers demand onion in salad and it is almost impossible to serve it due to high rates. The government must take effective measures to bring prices down,” said Rajkumar, running a small dhaba.

“A demand for 1,939.4 quintals has been sent to the headquarters and we may get the stock from Nafed in the next few days. Onion will be provided through 310 depots and a limit of 2 kg per family per week has been fixed. The selling price will be decided by the headquarters,” said District Food and Supplies Controller Nishant Rathee.

“To ensure that stock is not hoarded, regular inspections are being carried out. As per guidelines, a wholesaler can store up to 250 quintals and a retailer 50 quintals. A total of 79 raids have been conducted, but no violation has been found so far,” he said.

“Most of the retailers are keeping less than 10 quintals while the stock with wholesalers is less than 90 quintals. Only one wholesaler has 235 quintals and we are keeping a close watch on the onion stock,” he pointed out.

In September, 89 metric tonnes of onion was procured and sold to consumers on subsidised rates. In September, a limit of 3 kg per family every 10 days was fixed and onion was provided at Rs 30 a kg.