Consumers can wait, don’t import: National Cooperative Consumers Federation

Food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar may be facing all-round flak for failing to control prices, but National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF), a key body under this ministry, has still attacked the commerce ministry for allowing import of onions.

NCCF chairman Virendra Singh told reporters on Monday the commerce ministry’s move would have an adverse “psychological impact” on farmers. He urged the government to not lose sight of farmer welfare as it rushes to save the consumer from rising prices.

“After all, the farmer is also a consumer. India is a farm-based economy,” Singh said.

He said the mere news of possible imports was enough to drive down prices and set off a panic reaction among farmers eager to cash in on high prices. “They will harvest crops prematurely,” Singh said.

The government had last week decided to ban export and allow import of vegetables to bring prices under control. As a result, enterprising merchants have already imported onions from countries such as China. 

Singh urged the government to give his department “15-20 more days” to stabilise the demand and supply situation.

“Please wait for 10 days, if prices don’t stabilise, you can import,” he said.