Onion Prices Capped at ₹35/kg: Mobile Vans to Deliver to Bengaluru and Other Cities Next Week

New Delhi: In a bid to control the soaring onion prices across the country, the central government has initiated distribution of onions at a subsidized price of ₹35 per kilogram. The move comes as part of an effort to make the essential commodity affordable for consumers amid escalating prices.

Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, flagged off mobile vans in New Delhi today, which will sell onions at the reduced rate. Speaking on the occasion, Joshi emphasized that controlling food inflation remains a top priority for the government, and measures have been taken to address the recent surge in onion prices.

Onions at ₹35 Nationwide: The government has set up necessary arrangements to retail onions at ₹35 per kg nationwide. Mobile vans have been deployed for this purpose, providing relief to consumers in key areas.

Distribution Expands to Major Cities Next Week: While the low-cost onion distribution has already commenced in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, the initiative will extend to other major cities, including Bengaluru, Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Raipur, and Bhubaneswar, from next week. Full-scale nationwide distribution is expected to be in place by the third week of September, said Joshi.

4.7 Lakh Tons of Onions in Reserve: The government has a stock of 4.7 lakh tons of onions, harvested during the Rabi season. Distribution is being handled by agencies such as the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), alongside mobile vehicles, e-commerce platforms, and outlets like Kendriya Bhandar and Safal, said the minister.

Minister Joshi also noted that the Consumer Affairs Department is monitoring the prices of 38 essential commodities, including onions, from 550 centers across the country.

Increase in Onion Procurement and Farmer Payments: Compared to last year’s purchase of 3 lakh tons, the government has procured 4.7 lakh tons of onions this year, stabilizing the prices. Farmers in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh were paid directly into their accounts, with prices ranging from ₹1,230 to ₹2,578 per quintal, higher than last year’s ₹693 to ₹1,205 per quintal.

Improved Onion Sowing: Onion cultivation during the current Kharif season has increased by 102% compared to the previous year. The agriculture department has recorded onion sowing across 2.90 lakh hectares as of August 26, 2024, up from 1.94 lakh hectares last year. This is expected to lead to better availability and lower prices in the coming months.

Onion Stocks with Farmers and Traders: An additional 38 lakh tons of onions remain with farmers and traders across the country. The Consumer Affairs Department continues to keep a close watch on the availability and pricing of onions to ensure stability in the market.