Delhiites, distressed by the rising prices of onions, are expected to get relief in the next few days. Onion traders of Azadpur mandi have started sourcing onions from Afghanistan. Traders say 4 trucks of onions have been called from Afghanistan through the Attari border on Tuesday. The arrival of onion will increase in the coming days. This will lead to a fall in onion prices in the retail market.
Meanwhile, the central government has started selling onions at some places for Rs 22 per kg. The Delhi government has also decided to sell onions at 390 ration shops and 80 mobile vans for Rs 23.90 per kg. Traders say that onion consumption in Delhi is 3000 tonnes on a normal day. But only 1800–1900 tonnes of onions, including Azadpur, Ghazipur, Keshavpur, and Okhla Mandi, are available.
According to Rajendra Sharma, general secretary of The Potato and Onion Merchants Association of Azadpur mandi, onion consumption is around 3 thousand tonnes daily on normal days. But, there is not so much onion available in mandis. Because of this, onion prices have increased in the wholesale and retail markets. Stocks of onion are now available daily in Azadpur Mandi with 1000-1200 tonnes and 600-700 tonnes including Ghazipur, Okhla and Keshavpur Mandi.
In this way, about 1000 tons of onions are available less than the daily consumption of onions in Delhi. He said that onion prices will not remain at this level for long. The onion traders of Mandi have now started ordering onions from Afghanistan. On Tuesday, 4 trucks of onion are coming from Afghanistan via Attari border. Only this information has reduced the prices of onions. When enough of the onion consignment starts, then the price of 5-7 rupees per kg may fall.
Delhi government will sell for Rs 23.90 per kg
A high-level meeting was called by the Delhi government's Food Minister Imran Hussain on Tuesday. During this time it was decided that the Delhi government will presently provide onion to the people at 390 ration shops at the rate of Rs 23.90 per kg. Apart from this, onions will also be sold on 80 mobile vans at the same rate. Officials present in the meeting said that tenders have been issued for short-listing of transporters transporting onions to ration shops. These transporters will take onions at cheaper rates from NAFED godowns to ration shops. On the other hand, since Tuesday, the central government has started selling onions at some places at the rate of Rs 22 a kg.
