NEW DELHI, 14 September (H.S.) :The retail sale of onion, at the

subsidised rate of Rs. 35 per kg, was rolled out with the flagging off of

mobile vans on 5th September 2024. The retail disposal started through outlets

and mobile vans of NCCF and NAFED in major consumption hubs, i.e., Delhi and

Mumbai and was subsequently extended to other important locations like Chennai,

Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati etc.

This initiative has started showing

positive tangible results:

Between launch September 5th

to September 13th.

- Delhi: Prices dropped from Rs. 60

on Rs 55

- Mumbai: Prices decreased from Rs.

61 to Rs. 56.

- Chennai: Prices reduced from Rs. 65

to Rs. 58.

In response to growing demand and to

further ease the prices of onion, Government decided to enhance the quantity

and distribution channels. Besides expanding the retail sale to e-commerce

platforms, outlets of Kendriya Bhandar and SAFAL, bulk sales strategies are

also being adopted to ensure availability of onions to the consumers at

affordable prices. The wholesale disposal has already commenced in major cities

such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai and will be extended to Hyderabad, Bangalore

and Kolkata in coming days, and eventually to all state capitals. The wholesale

disposal, this time, is happening through both road transport as well as

railway network. This initiative, besides bringing logistical efficiency, will

also reduce post-harvest losses.

The Department of Consumer Affairs is

also working closely with state governments to ensure a targeted and steady

supply, based on evolving supply- demand conditions and price trends.

The ultimate goal of the Government

is to ensure that every household across the country has access to affordable

onions. The government, hence, will remain committed to maintaining vigilant

oversight of onion prices and continue taking proactive decisions for onion

disposal in high-price centres to protect consumers from any further price

escalation.

Enhanced retail and bulk sale

strategies along with the available buffer stock of 4.7 LMT of onion and

increased kharif sowing area as compared to the previous year, onion prices

will remain under control in coming months.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Nimish kumar