Thomas, who has been elevated as minister of state (independent charge)of the ministry, said that cooperative firms Nafed and NCCF have already lowered onion prices to Rs30/kg.
A day after taking charge food minister KV Thomas today said onion prices will be brought under control in the next 15 days.
"Onion prices will be brought under control in the next 15 days," consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister KV Thomas told reporters in New Delhi.
Thomas, who has been elevated as minister of state (independent charge)of the ministry, said that cooperative firms Nafed and NCCF have already lowered onion prices to Rs30/kg.
Onion prices today softened from the two-day old price of Rs50-65/kg in the four metros to Rs30-45 a kg in all except Chennai, where the vegetable is still being sold at Rs60 per kg due to the problem of shortage of supplies.
However, onion is available in Delhi at a wholesale price of Rs8-20 per kg and the retail price of Rs40/kg. In Mumbai and Kolkata, the vegetable is being sold at the retail price of Rs30-45/kg and Rs40-45/kg, respectively.
Though the above rates are still considered expensive, it was from this level that the vegetable had soared to retail price of Rs70-85 a kg on December 21, triggering a hue and cry across the country.
Cooperative organisations-NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar-today were selling onion at Rs30/kg from today, while agri- cooperative Nafed yesterday started selling onions at the above prices in Delhi.
NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) managing director MK Khan attributed the current onion price to fall in the procurement price.
The two agencies are running 15 outlets and seven mobile vans to sell the vegetable at subsidised rate in Delhi.
Meanwhile, 60 tonnes of Pakistani onions arrived at Azadpur market (Asia's biggest wholesale fruits & vegetables market) today, official sources said.
With this a total of 300 tonnes of onions imported by government agencies--PEC and STC--have reached the national capital by road from Mundra port in Gujarat so far, they added.
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