2000 tonne of imported 18,000 tonne onion sold; government providing it at Rs 22/kg: Ram Vilas Paswan
With 18,000 tonne of onions arriving in India from different countries, the prices of the vegetable are now starting to come down. However, the onion prices are still hovering between Rs 50-100 across the country.
With 18,000 tonne of onions arriving in India from different countries, the prices of the vegetable are now starting to come down. However, the onion prices are still hovering between Rs 50-100 across the country.
The government on Tuesday said only 2000 tonne of imported onion has been sold even though it is being provided at Rs 22/kg.
"Around 18,000 tonne onion has been imported now, but even after all the efforts, only 2000 ton onion has been sold. We are providing onions at Rs. 22/kg now," Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan said.
In Delhi, imported onion is being sold at Rs 50-60 in retail markets.
In November-December last year, retail onion prices even crossed Rs 150 per kg mark, forcing the government to order additional supply from Turkey, Egypt and Afghanistan.
State-owned Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India (MMTC) contracted close to 50,000 tonne of onion out of which around 18,000 has already arrived.
Onion prices shot up sharply due to nearly 25% fall in kharif production o compared to the previous year because of late monsoon and flood situation onion producing states like Karnataka and Maharashtra.