The Central government has started retailing onion at a concessional rate of Rs 35 per kg through mobile vans and NCCF (National Co-operative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd) retail shops in Delhi-NCR from today. According to the Press Trust of India, the government has taken this step amidst the rising prices of the onions. As per the statement released by the government, the Minister, of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi has launched this retail sale. The statement said the minister had started this sale from the Krishi Bhawan, Delhi. Besides the Krishi Bhawan, the onions are being sold at 38 places including the NCUI (National Cooperative Union of India) Complex, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk Metro Station and parts of Noida.
This market intervention by the central government aims to improve local supply and curb rising prices of onion, an important commodity in the kitchen. The government has also taken this step to protect consumers from exorbitant prices and prevent middlemen from making windfall profits. Currently, onion is being sold at a price of more than Rs 60 per kg in the national capital. NCCF has maintained a buffer stock of onions purchased directly from farmers in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. According to the NCCF, directly contacting farmers and offering onions at discounted rates, it is playing an important role in reducing the impact of price fluctuations on consumers.
Increasing prices of onions, tomatoes and potatoes
The increasing rates of onions have been prevailing for a long time now. According to The Hindu, the retail prices of important vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and potatoes increased by 15 per cent to 58 per cent in June. The Union government, however, claimed that the situation is temporary and the prices, except that of potatoes, will be under control very soon. The wholesale prices of the three vegetables too increased by 65.70 per cent (tomato), 35.36 per cent (onion) and 17.57 per cent (potato) in the last 30 days.
What is the wholesale price?
The wholesale price of an item is the price that a retailer will pay when purchasing the item from a wholesaler. It’s typically a relatively low per-unit price for a large quantity of the product.
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