Traders and babus having close links with NCP behind onion issue: Raju Shetti

Lok Sabha MP and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti has alleged that a handful onion traders and bureaucrats having close links with the NCP are behind the problems related to onion prices.

Shetti called on Union Minister for Agriculture Radhamohan Singh and Union Minister for Fertilizers Ramvilas Paswan, demanding strict against the unscrupulous traders and babus, who are influencing policies on bulbs.

The farmer leader said that onion producers were holding demonstrations at Lasalgaon. "The agriculture minister has assured that he would speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17. So we have decided to stop the agitations till then," said Shetti.

The farmers have been remonstrating about the government's decisions to keep the onion prices low.

Shetti said he brought to the notice of the union ministers that a few traders having close ties with NCP were behind the onion price problem, which had led to the Centre's intervention.

The farmer leader said that he had written letters to Union ministers and even the PM in June itself when the NDA government came to power. He said he had pointed out that despite a drought-like situations and untimely rains and hailstorms, the production was adequate.

Shetti said that he had explained that onions from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka would enter the market mid-August, while the bulbs from Nagpur would be ready for consumption in September.

"While there was there was no reason for panic, the union government increased export duty from $250 to $500 and also imported the onions from Egypt and Afghanistan. These decisions have brought down the prices, hampering the interests of onion producers."

Shetti said if the government ignores his suggestions, he would have no option but to continue with his agitation.