Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Friday reviewed the status of onion prices due to the crop having been affected because of excessive rains in different parts of the country.   

The Minister observed that the Delhi Government is considering selling onions through its 'Fair Price Shops/Mobile Vans', in order to check the price rise of onions. In this regard, meetings with DSCSC and transporters have also been held.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies (CFS), senior officers of Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee..

The Minister directed Commissioner, DSCSC, APMC/DAMB that immediate corrective action be taken as average wholesale prices of onions have risen astronomically in last two-three days in Lasalgaon and Nashik in Maharashtra.

Its repercussions would be felt in retail markets across the country, it is being apprehended.  The officers present in the meeting informed that due to ongoing phase of Shraadhs followed by the festive Navratri period, the demand of onions decrease which will help in neutralising some of the effect of price rise of onions.

Officers also informed the Minister that NAFED is in a position to supply 200 metric tonnes of onions daily for the retail sale in Delhi. The meeting also discussed whether market intervention was needed for checking retail price of  onions. During the meeting, various options to make onions available at affordable prices to consumers in Delhi was also discussed, an official said.

The Food and Civil Supplies Department and DSCSC have been directed to expedite tendering process for making adequate arrangements for supply of onions at various FPSs in Delhi for their retail sales, in case any emergent situation arises.

Delhi Government has already constituted a high level Price Stabilization Fund Management Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary with Principal Secretary (Finance), Commissioner (F&S), Development Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner and Director (Agricultural Marketing) and Director (Planning) as other members to suggest market intervention for checking the prices of essential commodities. This Committee has been activated to timely and effectively deal with the situation of high retail prices of onion.  

The Minister was also informed that the teams of officers/officials of Food and Civil Supplies Department and APMC have already been directed to make regular field inspections and carry out enforcement activities in order to check the instances of hoarding, black-marketing, profiteering etc.