The state government will distribute onions through ration shops.
In a move to mitigate the onion crisis pangs, the West Bengal government has announced that it will distribute onions through ration shops at cheap rates. Onions will be sold at rates of Rs 50 per kg.
An imbalance in the supply of onions has triggered a nationwide crisis. Last month, the Union Cabinet had approved importing 1.2 lakh tonnes of onion to improve the domestic supply. Exports have already banned and a limit has been imposed on stock-holding for wholesalers and retailers for an indefinite period.
Currently, onion is being sold at Rs 100 per kg in most of the Indian cities.
1. Distribution via ration shops
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The state government will distribute onions through ration shops at cheap rates, said Pradip Majumdar, Advisor (Agriculture) to the Chief Minister.
2. Onions at Rs 50/kg
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The Agriculture Department of the West Bengal government has stated that onions bought in wholesale under subsidy will be sent to 935 counters for sale.
This cost will be borne by the government, the statement said, adding that the onions will be provided at the rate of Rs 50 per kg. Due to this, onion prices might reduce by Rs 59 per kg. The government will provide one kg of onions per family.
3. Agriculture Department press conference
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As part of the state government's Agriculture Department, Pradip Majumdar on Sunday addressed the media. However, the West Bengal Food & Supplies Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick was absent in the press conference.
However, several officials of the Agro Department and Ration Dealer Association were present. Representatives of self-help groups were also there.
4. Unanswered questions
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In the meanwhile, several questions remain unanswered: It is not yet known when the state government plans to distribute onions in a similar measure in regions of West Bengal outside Kolkata.
Similarly, the government has also not specified how frequent the one kg per family onions will be provided. However, it has been informed that efforts are on to bring in onions from outside.
