New Delhi: Concerned over skyrocketing
price of onions, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday directed
the Food and Civil Supplies department to immediately conduct
raids against hoarders.
After a high-level meeting, Dikshit said her
government has decided to place order for direct purchase of
onion from Nashik in Maharashtra through NAFED (National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation) to overcome the
shortage in the city.
The raids will start with immediate effect, said Food
and Civil Supplies Minister Harun Yusuf.
Dikshit said onion prices in the city which touched
Rs 80 per kg are bound to stabilise in the next few days.
The average daily consumption of onions in Delhi is
approximately 300 metric tonne, hence it is not difficult to
meet the demand, she said.
Officials told the meeting that the prices have
already started coming down with more arrivals from Gujarat
and Maharashtra.
The price of onions soared to Rs 70-80 per kg in
retail markets in Delhi. Traders attributed the rise in rates
to supply crunch due to unseasonal rains in Maharashtra,
Gujarat and southern states.
"There has been 13.5 per cent decrease in wholesale
price of onion in Azadpur Mandi wholesale market as compared
to prices yesterday," they said.
Dikshit said departments concerned have been
instructed to conduct raids on hoarders and take strict action
against them.
"The action may include cancellation of their licenses
even," said Yusuf.
Officials said in case situation demands the
government will facilitate sale of onions at reasonable prices
at select outlets across the city including Mother Dairy
stores and Kendriya Bhandars.
The Department of Food and Supplies has already
initiated the process to make arrangements for sell of onions
at subsidised rates.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 21:21